Furry Friends receives grant

The Roundhouse Foundation has presented Furry Friends Foundation (FFF) with a grant of $2,000 in memory of Furry Friends volunteer Patti Risley.

"The Roundhouse Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the work of the Furry Friends Foundation," said Roundhouse trustee Kathy Deggendorfer.

Deggendorfer said it seemed appropriate and important to honor the legacy of Black Butte Ranch resident Patti Risley, who died of cancer earlier this year. Risley was an active volunteer with Furry Friends, manning information and raffle booths at Sisters events and assisting with the annual holiday pet-food drive.

"When she passed, it seemed appropriate to honor her for the work she did to help people and pets," Deggendorfer said. "We wanted to honor her for something that was obviously very important to her."

FFF founder Kiki Dolson expressed her appreciation.

"This most recent grant, given in honor of volunteer Patti Risley, was an extremely nice gesture," she said. "Patti passed away on August 17 of this year. Not only my personal friend since high school, Patti was a loyal supporter and avid volunteer of Furry Friends. You would have seen her behind the Furry Friends table at every fundraiser, plus she was one of the artists that hand-draws the 150-plus ornaments we sell during the holidays. I know this grant in her name would have pleased her immensely."

She also noted that "The Roundhouse Foundation has supported Furry Friends Foundation since it's inception, and I am so thankful for all they have done for us. I want to personally thank Kathy Deggendorfer of The Roundhouse Foundation for this grant award."

Furry Friends Foundation maintains a pet-food bank in conjunction with the Kiwanis Food Bank and provides assistance for families in need who have sick or injured pets. The grant this year is targeted in part to FFF's spay/neuter program and to help stock the pet-food bank.

Furry Friends is operated entirely by volunteers, which allows the majority of donations to go directly to helping families with pets.