Wednesday, March 21, 2012

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. 

17 comments:

  1. Thanks you fur saying bowt how wonderfur teh pawpawty an Dougal an Lynn haz been. Its been pawsome being a DJ an being pawrt of sumthing that did good good werks fur so many animals.

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  2. I missed all the hullabaloo that led to the suspension, so I don't know the details ... and don't really want to. It seems, however, like another one of those sad situations where meanness took over the online conversation.

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    1. I'm missed it too Rox - and frankly I'm glad I did. I don't understand why some people feel the need to attack others. I'm just sorry that it got to this point.

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  3. We know how hard @FrugalDougal and Lynn work to make the Pawpawties a success. The monies (and awareness) the pawties raise for the shelters is phenomenal. We're so fortunate to have met so many of our pals via these events and hopefully they'll be able to schedule one soon. Sending love and best wishes to Dougal and his staff.

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  4. Oh, no! We hadn't heard. We were also there at the very first pawty and remember the excitement when #Pawpawty would raise to the top of the Twitter trending list. So many anipals were helped... big thanks to our pals Frugal Dougal and Lynn for making it all possible. In our hearts, the good that came from pawpawties will go on and on and on and on. xxoo

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  5. Bunny Jean, thank you for saying this for all of us. It's frightening how these things escalate on the internet. I'm very sad about this but I'm still holding out hope that pawpawties will come back in time. I will be even sadder if they don't.

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  6. I didn't realize this happened. This makes me so sad.

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  7. Thank you Bunny Jean. We would not be here on twitter today if it were not for that very 1st #pawpawty. We had just gotten on, didn't know what twitter was all about, let alone the anipal community and then we saw this amazing #pawpawty happen, with anipals getting dressed up and raising $$ for charity. We were hooked and have pawticipated ever since. We're praying Lynn will bring it back.

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  8. Oh no, it is a sad day indeed. I remember when you and I spent time with Lynn and the love in her heart for this project and animals everywhere shined a light of hope for everyone. I so hate to hear this news.

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  9. That is beary well said bunny. I am also beary sad that the pawpawty has been put on hold. Hope it will continue soon because it was lots of fun and I love the good causes.

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  10. oh my - Abigail and I had no idea!!! Abigail and Madison loved attending, there aren't words to articulate how wonderful @FrugalDougal and Lynn are to work with and to be inspired by their tireless efforts. I am so sad to hear this, I have no idea what transpired. I just hope my furry friends are okay and especially Lynn and @FrugalDougal along with all the others who showed up week after week after week. Never heard complaining, I only always received so many 'thanks' for attending and donating. As if I had done anything..... the thanks goes to the Volunteers who kept it alive. I am so sad to hear this... xoxox thank you though, I am glad I read this Vicki. I would not have known.
    xoox
    Lisa and Abigail

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  11. Here! Here! I'll be there too if/when there's another Pawpawty. The first Pawpawty I attended was I guess June2009 cos it was a surfing theme. I was so impressed by the costumes and the DJs. I just lurked at that pawty but volunteered for the very next one. I missed all the Twitter meanness, thank Bast, but have since found out. I just hope that Lynn and Dougal are OK and in a good place over their decision. Of course, it's the shelter animals who are the biggest losers.

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  12. Thank you bunny for putting into words what so many if us are feeling... And feeling very sad and lost. Good people should never have this happen. Standing with Pride for FrugalDougal and Lynn. The Heart of Twitter.

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  13. I am So sorry to hear this :( Pawpawty has helped so many needy and innocent anipals

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  14. What a shame... truly, a shame. The world will be a poorer place with this loss.

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  15. We are so sorry to hear this. Even though we haven't been involved for awhile due to moving and other outside issues, we have missed our pawty friends and all the fun we had. When looking at old pictures we have so many great ones that furiends did for us (since our mama is not very creative) and it always makes our family smile.

    Pawpawties did so much for charities, not to mention the tiredless volunteering. We would have never met all the great furiends we have if @FrugalDougal didn't invite us to our first pawpawty as we tried to figure out what Twitter was about. This is a sad sad day. xoxoxo Raven, Rio, Thor and mama Lisa

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  16. This is a beautiful post BJ. Just beautiful. We feel very sad over this situation also. So sad for all the anipals that won't be helped now.

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