Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Whitehurst.
Hi Olivia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I am Olivia Whitehurst, the current President of the Friends of Berkeley Animal Center.
We were founded when seven women came together and decided that Berkeley County Animal Shelter needed help, so we formed the Friends of Berkeley Animal Center. We are a nonprofit that supports our animal shelter by being a gap between what the shelter wants and what the county can provide.
Friends of Berkeley Animal Center is a 501(c)(3) created by animal-loving volunteers to support the Berkeley Animal Center. The employees and volunteers of the Berkeley Animal Center are passionate about the care and well-being of animals and we are passionate about helping them to provide it. In the tradition of “friends of” groups, we stepped up to the challenge of supporting their efforts to find homes for the abandoned and surrendered animals of Berkeley County.
Only by bringing together hardworking volunteers, a caring community, and generous donors are we able to accomplish our goals. We work hard to raise funds, organize events, grow volunteerism, promote public education, and encourage community and business involvement for the benefit of the growing homeless animal population of Berkeley County, SC.
Our biggest dream was to fund the building of a modern facility. One that could meet the demands of the increase in animal needs that Berkeley County has seen with its ever-growing people population. We closely coordinate with the staff of the Berkeley Animal Center to understand their needs, so they can focus on the daily care and adoption of these defenseless animals who so desperately just want help and homes. Together we are a winning team!
We are on a mission to:
• Educate the community on the many ways they can help
• Increase the adoption rate
• Provide medical assistance funds to help sick or injured animals
• Spay/Neuter Assistance
• Create a TNR program
• Organize, Plan and Fundraise to build a shelter for the future
These goals were formed in 2019 when we started. As of 2022, we have helped in building and outfitting our new animal shelter. A TNR program is being formed as of this listing. Adoptions rates have doubled. Foster have doubled and we are now involved with numerous rescue groups throughout the nation.
We continue to support the shelter in all of their needs.
We have outfitted a complete operating room, a commercial setting laundry room, a free-roaming cat room., new raised beds in our kennels, and industrial dishwashers in our animal kitchen.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With starting our nonprofit, we had to do everything from the ground up. Of our original seven board members we now only have 2 but we have been able to handpick 4 more board members who each bring their own specialties to our board. In only 3 years we have raised over 175,000 to benefit our animals.
We continue to grow our following within our community. Most of our board members continue to work full-time jobs while devoting many hours to our purpose and cause.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Most of our board members have been fosters at one point for our shelter. We are all devoted to making the stays of our animals a better one at our shelter.
Each of our members has a special skill for fundraising for our support of our shelter.
Our president and treasurer is a nurse and has been able to partner will some local hospitals in donating supplies when needed. She has also gotten us into 2 antique malls and a consignment shop for reselling donations that we receive.
Or vice president is an event coordinator which has been very useful in planning numerous annual events.
Our secretary is a firefighter and has been instrumental in getting us noticed with in our community.
We have a grant writer on board who has been and continues to be a great asset for getting us awarded grants.
We have an awesome board member who is a carpenter, florist, and all-around great asset for making us items to sell for fundraising. He is very well known in the entertainment arena.
Our last board member is a well-known carriage driver and is a great go between for many connections in the downtown Charleston area. We partner with the Charleston Carriage companies for fundraising often.
We have many volunteers that step up to do so much for our organization. From running our beautifully laid out website to always being available for our events.
Each of these board members bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to make us able to do all that we do for the Berkeley Animal Center.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
When starting a 5o1(c) we recommend seeking someone who can walk you through the process and make sure you do everything by the letter so that you are a trusted and compliant 501(c). There are many things to set into motion and continually do every year. to keep it legitimate.
Carefully build your board with members who seek the same goals for your purpose.
Always be there for your community answering all that is questioned of you.
Contact Info:
- Email: president@friendsofberkeleyanimalcenter.com
- Website: www.friendsofberkeleyanimalcenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fobacsc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fobacsc
