My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been involved in animal rescue and nonprofits for many years. I've volunteered, donated and fostered for several organizations. I recently got involved with Bastrop Animal Rescue and cannot say enough how impressed I am by their team of volunteers, their dedication, and the work they do. I was part of a foster team that took in many bichon frise dogs who were horribly neglected in a hoarding situation. I saw this incredible group of people spend a full (and VERY HOT) day shaving, de-fleaing, bathing, etc dozens of these dogs. They then raised money for their medical treatments, found fosters, and saw them all through to adoptions into safe and loving homes.

BAR also just last week got another amazing group of volunteers together to go build a fence for a dog who had been living on a chain, so that she wouldn't have to live that way anymore. Again, in the brutal Texas summer heat. BAR pulls dogs from shelters before they are euthanized, helps with lost and found pet reclamations, and helps impoverished people get their pets spayed and neutered. All with just a VERY small group of dedicated volunteers!

I am so impressed and I would encourage anyone to donate or volunteer with this group.

I have been involved with Austin Dog Rescue for about a year now. I got involved with them as a foster, and have fostered several dogs that they have been able to rescue from shelters, to get adopted to a forever home. I cannot say enough about the passion, dedication and unbelievable caring that each and every volunteer with this organization has. They are all volunteer, no staff, no one gets paid anything. Some of these people go so far above and beyond to give these animals a fighting chance at a good life, a good home, and love. I am amazed every day by their commitment and the lengths they will go to in order to save animals. I can't recommend this nonprofit enough. They make every dollar they raise go so far. Lean and very impactful organization.

I have known Rocky Turner for about six years now. I first came to know of her and her nonprofit when I was writing a book about orphaned children in India. I was very impressed by what she was doing in Kenya, and I donated some and became a bit involved. Finally, in 2012 I was able to travel to Kenya and volunteer at the Saint Monica's Children's Home with Rocky and other volunteers. Wow! What an amazing experience. Rocky's heart is huge and genuine for these girls, and she gives of herself tirelessly. It's a small, grassroots organization dedicated to helping THIS group of girls get an education, basic needs and the futures they deserve. Rocky does this entirely as an all-volunteer organization - she has never been paid a dime for her more-than-fulltime-work, nor does anyone else receive salary of any sort. In fact, expenses at all are a bare minimum, literally in the hundreds of dollars per YEAR. Virtually every penny goes straight to the girls' education and care. I cannot say enough good things about this organization, and about Rocky. Great cause.

I first became aware of Truth Be Told, an organization that provides transformational programs for women behind and beyond bars in prison, through a good friend of mine who was involved. I then attended a graduation ceremony at Lockhart Prison in Texas, where women who had gone through a Truth Be Told class while incarcerated got up and shared their story. For many, it was the first time they had ever done so - and also the first time they had ever had anyone listen to them, respectfully. What I learned and felt there blew me away. I went in expecting not to identify with these women at all - and then I realized that I could be any of them! They were not so different from me, and I thought they were the bravest women I had ever met. The work that Truth Be Told does to help these women behind bars find their own truths, face their life's journey and use it to empower themselves and their futures, is truly inspirational.

More Feedback

I have been involved with The Miracle Foundation since 2004, as a volunteer and donor. I have sponsored children, done pro bono work for the organization, made donations and have traveled to India five times on their volunteer orphanage trips. I can't say enough about the importance of the work they are doing, or the quality of the organization. I was so inspired by The Miracle Foundation that, as a writer, I even published a book about the issues and work with orphaned/homeless children (The Weight of Silence, 2009). If every non-profit organization could be run like this one, the world would be a better place.

More Feedback