My Nonprofit Reviews
Joan C.
Review for Sacramento SPCA, Sacramento, CA, USA
Sac SPCA is currently holding nearly 300 rabbits (including endangered rare breeds) from a 4H children's livestock project for approx $6,000 in daily boarding fees, after Folsom PD and Folsom AC authorized their seizure as 'too many pet rabbits.' Reports indicate the seizure was probably incorrect, as the property is zoned for agricultural livestock and these clearly are livestock - not pets.
Folsom PD and Folsom AC negotiated with the family to find a professional rabbitry where the animals can be housed while court and legal issues are worked out, since SSPCA has publicly stated on social media and in news reports that they do not have the ability to provide adequate care for these animals. Folsom Animal Control inspected the proposed site twice, and approved moving the animals there. The fact that Folsom PD and AC approve this move indicates there is reason to believe the seizure was incorrect.
However .. SSPCA is refusing to release the rabbits to the care of the professional rabbitry.
I am shocked at the actions of the Sacramento SPCA against children for a 4H livestock project. This seizure took place two weeks before Easter 2018 - and at 11pm at night. One hour before midnight. Think about that.
Two guesses why the SSPCA is refusing to return these animals - valued at up to $250 each due to their very rare bloodlines. The first guess doesn't count.
Review for National Novel Writing Month, Berkeley, CA, USA
OLL has done more to encourage and develop my abilities as a writer than any class, any job, any teacher or any software program I've ever used. Each November I bless the friend who introduced me to NaNoWriMo, and each year I encourage everyone I know to participate. This group deserves every accolade and award it has and will receive.
Novels have been percolating in my mind for decades, but I wrote none of them down until The OLL came into my life. My first year in NaNo was cathartic, and generated a short story that I am still proud of several years later. I am currently merging my last two November's work into a single volume - much editing and writing remains to be done, but I am jazzed at what I see coming together! I do not know if I would have ever started writing this story without the encouragement and tools provided for NaNo.
Another OLL program I *love* is the student competition. What a concept - teachers encouraging kids to write about anything they want, set and complete their own goals, and communicate with other young people around the world at the same time. What a powerful message for young people!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
..being able to write for hours every day in my own style and without fear of ridicule or criticism. Stories that I'd never have imagined writing have just flowed forth - and I love them! Even better: people I respect love them too. It's all because The OLL created NaNoWriMo and its' massively creative support system.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
..donate scads of money to them for better bandwidth, equipment and computer tech support. More and more people join the NaNo competition every year (yay!!!) and The OLL needs more money to support their outstanding programs. They were even loaning computers to people who needed them for a while - I mean, WOW!!! What if they could do more of that? Pitchapalooza, Script Frenzy, meetups, local and regional groups - all these other OLL programs would benefit from better funding, in addition to NaNoWriMo.
