The Humane Society of Lebanon County recently held bingo events at the St. Cecilia Social Hall, at 750 State Drive, and the Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 of Myerstown, at 299 W. Washington Ave.
Taylor Gracely, dog lead and veterinary technician at the Humane Society of Lebanon County, reflected on behalf of the nonprofit with LebTown about these events and others held throughout 2022.
“[The bingo event at the St. Cecilia Social Hall is] one of our biggest events,” Gracely, a Lebanon County native, said. “We have a really fun time planning it, making cool raffles, and having the opportunity to meet more people. It’s definitely a different crowd than some of our regular events. But we raised a good amount of money with this fundraiser.
“We get to bring the dogs and have them come over and meet some of the people at BINGO. And like I said, it’s an event we look forward to every year.”
Gracely said the event is one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers of the year.
In addition to bingo and other events solely planned by the nonprofit, the Humane Society partnered with the Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 of Myerstown to hold events in 2022, including BINGO.
The fire company has “been extremely wonderful to us. And we actually held this year, for the first time ever, our first bingo with them that 50% of the proceeds from their bingo actually went to us,” Gracely said. “I would say we probably raised about $5,000, close to, at that bingo. But it was really nice being able to partner with some of our first responders and be able to give back to them just as much as they do for us.”
Looking at 2022 in retrospect, she mentioned that the animal shelter has already exceeded 1,000 animal intakes this year. And the demand for food and other supplies for dogs and cats continues.
She added, “I would say this year, as the Humane Society, we definitely have been blessed to have more community involvement and definitely have a lot more positivity come through our doors, and so many great families who have come and supported us and a lot of … repeat adopters. You know, I would say this year has been very difficult with new things that have been brought our way. But for the most part, we do have a very good following and a very good community, and we couldn’t be any more thankful for that.”
Gracely provided several opportunities for Lebanon County residents looking to get involved now or next year.
“I always say that volunteering is a big thing,” she said. “A lot of people don’t understand kind of what goes on throughout the day at the Humane Society. It’s not always just playing with dogs and cats. There’s really sad cases that walk through our doors. There’s a lot of things that I think, as a general citizen, you don’t ever realize that that is something that we may need.
“I will always push fostering. We are always in need of foster homes for dogs, for kittens. Fostering helps save lives more than I think people realize. And just donating.”
For those under the age of 18 that are unable to volunteer at the nonprofit, Gracey suggested making homemade dog biscuits and bringing them in to give to the dogs or holding donation drives for the Humane Society of Lebanon County.
Bubble, who is at the Humane Society of Lebanon County. (Provided by Taylor Gracely) 
Buddy, who is at the Humane Society of Lebanon County. (Provided by Taylor Gracely) Cory, who is at the Humane Society of Lebanon County. (Provided by Taylor Gracely) 
Zues, who is at the Humane Society of Lebanon County. (Provided by Taylor Gracely)
The Humane Society also held Toys for Tots events on Dec. 4 at the nonprofit, at 150 N. Ramona Road, and on Dec. 5 at the Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 of Myerstown. LebTown spoke with Gracely before the event.
“We do have the two Toys for Tots events coming up, which we participate in every year to support the Marine Corps and love donating toys,” Gracely said, “It’s not just about us, you know, we want to give back to other people as well.”
Gracely concluded, “Personally, on behalf of the Humane Society, and I know all of us here, we appreciate everything that everybody has done. And that we are extremely thankful for all the donations and all the people. We just are extremely … blessed for Lebanon County and always standing by us. And just please know that every donation means the world to us.”
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