Animal Rescue Fund is a not-for-profit organization established four years ago to help other organizations provide care to animals in need. This year, ARF awarded a record $104,000 in grants to 21 existing animal shelters and animal service initiatives. During the first three years of existence, ARF has awarded a total of $264,000 to organizations that applied for aid through ARF's annual grant process.

"Naturally, the contributions which make this possible don't fall from the sky," says ARF Chairman Jennifer Richards. "We are blessed with the most dedicated Board of Directors, volunteers and loyal contributors." She continued, "Business owners in our area have been wonderful. The Shaggy Ram's Joanne Swift is the kindest, animal loving, supporter; Tom Wiseman from Wiseman & Associates never fails to pitch in to help."

Our gratitude is extended to the Middleburg Bank; Senator Jill Vogel; Nova Smiles; The Middleburg Eccentric and especially to Mrs. Jacqueline Mars and Mars Petcare US, Inc. without whose generosity we would not be able to donate food to many needy shelters.

"We are also immensely grateful to look to Ron Bradley, Zohar Ben-Dov, Manley Johnson and Ken Rietz for extra financial support." ARF is an organization of volunteers who recognize the inherent burden faced by existing shelters to not only care for rescued animals but to raise their own funds as well. ARF was created to increase awareness of and funding for existing animal shelters and animal service organizations.

Twenty-one organizations received ARF grants this year including: The Middleburg Humane Foundation, The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, The Fauquier SPCA, PAWS for Seniors, WAAG, Cause Fur Paws and The Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.

For a complete list, please visit the ARF website at www.arfrescueva.org.

"We are overwhelmingly grateful to the generosity of our local residents," said Founder Ursula Landsrath. "We deeply appreciate our many volunteers and contributors."

New Board Members

In 2014 ARF welcomes two new members to the Board of Directors: Cristin Cotten of Delaplane and Carole Stadfield of Middleburg. Jennifer Richards will be Chair, Ursula Landsrath President and Mary Johnson Vice-President. Other officers are Treasurer Dede McClure, Secretary Angie Webber and Special Events Chair Cathy Boswell.

ARF also announced the dates for its three annual events in 2014. Sunday, May 18 is the 2014 date for the Deleplane Dog Fest & Bazaar. The annual Animal Night will take place Saturday, October 11, and the ARF Estate Sale is planned for the weekend before Thanksgiving. Information about these events can be found at www.arfrescueva.org.

"We are overwhelmingly grateful to the generosity of our local residents" says Ursula Landsrath. "We deeply appreciate our many volunteers and contributors."