Vets4Pets-US

Vets4PetsUS is thrilled to announce they plan to raise funds for the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter located in Manistique, Michigan. This money will help the shelter director, Patricia Newby, update and perhaps expand to create even more unique opportunities to help heal and connect shelter animals with military veterans and citizens with their community.

The Eva Burrell Animal Shelter (EBAS) is a nonprofit “quality of life” animal shelter that opened in 1999. Their mission is to help rehabilitate animals that would otherwise be discarded or destroyed, and works to provide shelter, socialization, and comfort – one animal at a time. The EBAS has a very small paid part-time staff and relies heavily on volunteer help and donations to maintain continuous operation. They also have a volunteer board of directors with several being veterans.

When a small group of local military veterans, who affectionally refer to themselves as the “First Street Coffee Gang”, toured the facility in April, they met Patricia Newby, and learned about her background in the military. After hearing about the many programs offered at EBAS; one struck a chord in their hearts: the pairing up of shelter animals with military vets for socialization and adoption.

That’s when Veterans Mike Johnson, Glen LaVance, Allen Grimm, Jimmy Wayne, Wade Johnson, and Jeff Thayer, decided to form the nonprofit organization, Vets4PetsUS, and knew that EBAS could benefit from their help.

The First Street Coffee Gang were used to pulling together their resources quickly, as they’ve previously raised over $50,000 combined dollars for local efforts and national disasters, as well as cancer research and global missions. “After seeing all the great work that EBAS does for the community, well, we just knew we had to help!” says Allen Grimm, US Air Force Veteran.

And that’s when United States Navy Veteran, Jeff Thayer, jumped right in feet first! Known for never wearing shoes, Jeff was already planning a four and a half month long barefoot hike through the Appalachian Trail for fun. He decided it would be the perfect “fun-draiser” for the animals and Veterans in need, and the team immediately launched into action.

During his journey, Jeff will provide his social media followers from YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, with a “bare feet on the street” view, offering stories, experiences, and vantage points for what it’s like to walk 2200 miles alone. “This experience really brings home the feeling of standing and walking alone through the memories and experiences of being a military veteran.” said Jeff. “This journey is one about remembering; like the animals left alone in shelters across America, sometimes our military vets are left alone, too. This journey is to help raise awareness for our vets, and to create connections in a meaningful and healing way.”

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Eva Burrell Animal Shelter, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Eva Burrell Animal Shelter: The Eva Burrell Animal Shelter (EBAS) believes that it has the ability and power to effect change one animal at a time. It is our goal to be worth of their lives, to be enriched by their presence and not to miss the lessons they teach. We pledge to educate, to lead by example, to learn, to help when and where we can, to be diligent in our fundraising, and to be worthy of the trust placed in us.