HSLC and ECHO: A Win-Win Collaboration
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”—Martin Luther King Jr.
The holidays and the start of a new year inspire us to reflect not only on ourselves but also on the question posed by MLK in the above quote—what are we doing for others? As an all-volunteer organization, the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) would not exist without volunteers throughout Loudoun who assist with our programs and keep our organization running. They come from all walks of life and are united by their desire to do for others—in our case, to help save animals.
In 2019 HSLC welcomed a new group of volunteers from ECHO, a non-profit based in Leesburg that supports and empowers adults with disabilities. Each day over 200 individuals participate in ECHO’s programs, which include skill building, job placement, day support, and transportation.
These new volunteers have played a key role in supporting the Loudoun Pet Pantry, a collaboration between HSLC, Loudoun County Animal Services, and Loudoun Hunger Relief. The program’s goal is to help keep pets in loving homes by providing supplies to families in need. Donation boxes are located throughout the county.
Every Monday, the ECHO volunteers pick up donations for the Pet Pantry from several locations in Leesburg. The donations, which include pet food, crates, and all types of supplies, are then dropped off at a centralized location. HSLC volunteers repackage the food for distribution at Loudoun Hunger Relief. The other donated items are either used by HSLC’s other programs or passed along to other rescue organizations.
HSLC President Juanita Easton says, “We are very pleased to collaborate with ECHO. The volunteers are consistent and reliable, and they do a great job.”
Recently the ECHO volunteers expanded their participation, assisting at Loudoun Hunger Relief as the packages are unloaded and weighed. They are then shelved and ready for those in need. Often the emergency assistance received through Pet Pantry is a lifeline for families facing the possibility of surrendering a beloved pet due to unexpected financial hardship.
When asked why they decided to assist with this program, one of the ECHO volunteers said, “We pick up the cat food and the dog food, and we drop it off. Then it goes to someone who needs it.”
According to ECHO staff, volunteering has become a favorite activity. The group changes weekly, and participants often ask staff if they can go to Pet Pantry when they arrive on Mondays.
“Volunteering is a great way for our participants to be active members of the community,” states Jacob Brown, Program Coordinator in the Day Program at ECHO. “Adults with disabilities are often regarded as people who need help, but the truth is, they are just as capable, willing, and eager to give back as others. They enjoy it, and they are providing a valuable service, so it’s a win-win.”
For more information on the Loudoun Pet Pantry, please visit HSLC’s website at www.humaneloudoun.org. For more information about ECHO, visit www.echoworks.org, Facebook (@ECHOworks), Twitter (@ECHOLeesburg), Instagram (@ECHOnonprofit), or LinkedIn.