Pawpawty Suspended Indefinitely

Yesterday was a sad day on twitter. @Frugaldougal announced that Pawpawty, the monthly online fundraising event to help animal charities all over the world, has been put on hiatus. This is especially sad because this month would have been the three-year anniversary of the very first Pawpawty held on St. Patrick’s Day 2009.

I have been a part of Pawpawty since its inception. I have watched it grow from a small impromptu event with a core group of participants to become an established online event that has inspired so many other people to “Be the Change” for animals.

Pawpawty is the “grandfather” of all twitter fundraisers – a 24 hour virtual event that incorporates quizmasters, djs, barktenders, sekurity officers, event sponsors, and people who just want to help animals and have some fun too.  It is a major undertaking on the part of the event coordinators, who work together to recruit and schedule volunteers, secure sponsors, design menus, develop invitations, and do pre-pawty marketing.  

In addition, to the core group of volunteers (@FrugalDougal, @Fergusthedog, @GeorgetheDuck, @JavatheCat, and @BrutustheDane), nearly 100 volunteers come together every month to make sure the pawty is fully manned, runs smoothly and everyone has a good time. No one has ever been paid to plan or participate in Pawpawty – and many have given significant amounts their time, talent and money to help support these events.

All Pawpawty charities have been fully vetted and are legally recognized nonprofit, charitable organizations. All funds go to the organization – either directly through First Giving or Just Giving, or indirectly through Chip In.  None of the funds are retained by any of the organizers as a handling fee.

I am proud to have been a small part of this wonderful group of people, who cared enough to want to make a difference in the world. I especially want to thank @Frugaldougal and his mum Lynn for developing the concept and working tirelessly over the past three years to ensure the event continued to grow and thrive. I support their decision to put Pawpawty on hold, but I also want them to know that if they ever decide to reinstate the event, I know one little bunny who will be there to help in any way she can.