Wayne Elsey's Message

This month I would like to write my message in honor of the victims of the Orlando shooting, the worst in modern times, at Pulse. This touched our city, friends, family and work teams. I also know that this affected millions of people across the United States and around the world. They demonstrated their support and compassion with vigils in Sydney, Auckland, Barcelona, London, Cologne, Paris, Hong Kong and other places. Social media lit up in support of the victims, survivors and families of those who were at Pulse that fateful night.

My message today is simple. Hate will never win. Try as some terrible people might to destroy and kill, hate and the violence that stems from it will never conquer. The shooter, whom we should never name, thought he was making some sort of perverse and grand statement. He did not. Instead, the lives of the 49 people who were killed that fateful Sunday morning and the survivors of this tragedy sparked a dialogue of love, support and compassion to take place from Orlando, to Pakistan, France, Israel, Australia and countries on every continent. The victims’ faces, their stories and lives echoed through the week and beyond.

Pulse was founded as a sanctuary for the LGBT community in memory of Barbara Poma’s brother who died of HIV in 1991. Pulse honored her brother, John’s, spirit and his “pulse.” Today, her intent is to rebuild and honor the pulse of John and now the 49 people who died, the more than 50 who were injured and their families. Each of us can honor all of these lives by supporting and working toward a world of peace, tolerance, compassion and kindness.

The National Compassion Fund is giving 100 percent of the monies it receives for the victims of the Orlando shooting and their families. If you wish to learn more or contribute, you can do so by clicking here.

Once the collection is approved by furry friends, the shoes are consolidated for
pick-up at Saving Grace Animal Rescue.

This is Their Story
Saving Grace Animal Rescue in Millersville, Maryland recently completed its second fundraiser with Funds2Orgs, a for-profit social enterprise. Diana Maddox, Event Coordinator, worked with the supporters of the rescue and the team at Funds2Orgs to successfully raise $3,000. With Funds2Orgs, sponsoring organizations do not have to ask anyone for money. Instead, Funds2Orgs pays them for the gently worn, used and new shoes collected.

As Diana said in an article in the Capital Gazette, "People haven't really heard of collecting used shoes as a fundraiser. Most are happy they can help cats and dogs by cleaning out their closets some."

At Funds2Orgs, we’re animal lovers and so are many of our partners. Saving Grace Animal Rescue works to rescue animals on the east coast and to help them find their forever homes. When animals are rescued by the organization, they are housed with loving foster families until they find a permanent home. Saving Grace Rescue has 40 volunteers working to improve the lives of animals. Funds are needed for veterinary bills, including dental, of the dogs and cats in foster care.

Saving Grace came to know Funds2Orgs through its partnership with Wooftrax. Wooftrax has an app that helps dog owners to help their favorite shelters across the country by simply walking their pets and connecting that walk to their chosen shelter. Over 5.5 million walks have taken place in conjunction with the app to financially support more than 6,000 shelters in all 50 states.

The shoes collected by the Saving Grace Animal Rescue, along with so many others, are consolidated by Funds2Orgs. They are then shipped to 25 developing nations around the world. The shoes are an economic lifeline to micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, who have few economic opportunities due to systemic poverty. Funds2Orgs hub operators and micro-entrepreneurs want a hand-up, not a hand-out.

I’d like to end this month’s newsletter, again, in honor of those affected by the events at Pulse in Orlando. LGBT rights are human and civil rights. Period. “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall.” – President Barack Obama.

We want to hear from you! If you’d like us to share your stories, suggestions, questions or comments, please send Ben an email at ben@elseyenterprises.com.