FurFright exists to accomplish two very important goals: to show our attendee friends a great time, and to help our charities. Every year we're inspired to try to make the world a nicer place for animals and those in need, and we can always count on our FurFright Family to band together and make a difference!

This year we're supporting...

-- The United States War Dogs Association. These dedicated Veterans educate the public about the service and sacrifice of our Military Working Dogs past, present, and future; send vital equipment and necessities to dogs and handlers working overseas; rally public support by collecting petitions to enact laws that aid/protect Military Working Dogs; help retired Military Working Dogs get adopted into loving homes; and train shelter dogs to be support animals for Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

-- The Animal Haven. We're proud to support The Animal Haven, a wonderful no-kill, non-profit shelter right here in Connecticut that does phenomenal work caring for abandoned dogs and cats and placing them in loving homes. They've been rescuing pets and serving their community since 1948, and work to fight animal cruelty though education and their spay/neuter program. We wanted to give some much-needed aid to our local shelters, so we're welcoming The Animal Haven back to the FurFright Family!

-- The Connecticut Children's Medical Center. To honor our friends in the community who have passed away, FurFright organizes a "Friends Remembered Toy Drive". Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Dealer Cashier at the con, and you'll receive a free gift and a card you can fill out and post on our memorial wall. The toys will be delivered to The Connecticut Children's Medical Center following the convention, where they'll bring some much-needed comfort and joy to children suffering from injuries and illness.

List of acceptable/needed toys: http://www.connecticutchildrens.org/files/6813/6027/3525/suggested\_items.pdf

All money raised at FurFright will be given to the USWDA and The Animal Haven, and all the toys collected will be given to the Connecticut Children's Hospital. Every penny we raise goes towards providing general and veterinary care, food, equipment, essentials, education, and services for animals and children in need.

And to do all this... WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Here's how you can help!

--CHARITY AUCTION/RAFFLE--

This is where you can bid on and win some outstanding artwork and merchandise! We not only need your bids, but we need you to donate desirable items and services for others to drool over and grab! So bring your donated items to the charity room, bid, and help the War Dogs and The Animal Haven!

--FRIENDS REMEMBERED TOY DRIVE--

FurFright, and our community, is truly a family. We've lost too many members of the FurFright Family throughout the years, and we're always searching for ways to honor and remember them. As wonderful as one-time gestures are, we wanted to start a tradition that honors the memory of our friends by helping others. And so we continue our "Friends Remembered Toy Drive" to benefit the Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

It's so easy to brighten someone's day, and life. Just bring a new unopened toy or plushy (new with tags) to FurFright and drop it off at the Dealer Cashier (in the Dealers' Dungeon), and we'll give you a thank you gift. Also, when you make a donation, you'll get a card to write a personalized message to post on our Friends Remembered Memorial Wall.

Here's a list of toys and items the Connecticut Children's Medical Center is looking for:

http://www.connecticutchildrens.org/files/6813/6027/3525/suggested\_items.pdf

--BOOK OF THE DEAD--

This is a great way for you ARTISTS and PHOTOGRAPHERS to donate your skills! The Book of the Dead is a portfolio we auction off, filled with all sorts of outstanding works! The deadline for mail-in submissions is October 15th. Or, just bring your submission to the charity room at the con. For more information please contact Silvermane at: silvermane1977 AT gmail DHOT com.

--DONATE MERCHANDISE & MONEY--

We'll be collecting cash and merchandise donations at the con in our Charity Room, as well as having donation buckets at the Dealer Cashier and with our Charity Bucket Brigade suiters, so PLEASE dig deep and give generously! Let's show the world the heart of our community!

If you have any questions regarding our charity and how you can help, please contact our charity department at: auction[at]furfright.org

Thank you all for helping us show the true heart of our community!