Month: December 2009

I recently purchased an Epic Specialties pillow from Facebook friend and fellow animal lover, Chirs Brenner. The pillow says “We Have A Warm (Heart) For Cold Noses.” Not only were the pillows cheap at $10, but all the proceeds go to a great cause: the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California. There’s only one, albeit simple catch: you have to email Chris a picture of yourself with the product.

I received the pillow in the mail about as fast as I sent Chris a check and now it sits under the tree for Ella to open on Christmas. Then, Chris will get his photo!

Epic Specialties also sells Hanes 100% cotton, tagless t-shirts that say “We Have A Warm (Heart) For Cold Noses” or “We (Heart) Pets!” The pillows, like the one I ordered, are handmade, and also come in either slogan. There is even a bone-shaped neck pillow that says “We Love Pets.” The t-shirts are being sold for $8 each and the pillows for $10, until the end of January 2010. But keep in mind, that price is being honored (in good faith) to customers who will email Chris a picture of themselves with the tee or pillow. 

Chris has been a marketing consultant for over 15 years, and started Epic Specialties – which is he is the Chief Executive – earlier this year. While in the business to make money, as a life-long animal lover and someone who is passionate about fighting animal cruelty, Chris launched the company knowing he would give a percentage of promotional product sales to the San Diego Humane Society and Helen Woodward.

Now that, is a business worth supporting!

To order your t-shirt or pillow, email Chris at chris@epicspecialties.com.

My friend Emily Tanen’s non-profit rescue group, Project Pet, is throwing a holiday party in which all proceeds go towards saving animals in city shelters – specifically pit bulls – from euthanasia.

Emily also works in the New Hope department of Manhattan Animal Care and Control and never leaves work without taking at least a few dogs out of the shelter with her to be marketed, coddled and adored by animal lovers who attend the fundraiser.

Happy’s Holiday Hour will take place at Von, a great space on Bleecker Street on Thursday, December 17th from 6 – 9 p.m. I went to Project Pet’s fundraiser at Von last month and it was a blast! I am hoping to get out of a prior engagement to come out and support Emily and the animals she works so tirelessly to save, and hope you will, too!

Below is a photo of some of my rescue friends at Project Pet’s last fundraiser. From top left going clockwise is the host of the party, Emily, followed by Christina, Jen, myself and Katherine.

Good times raising money for shelter pets.