DREAMS DO COME TRUE...............

 I felt it was important to share my story and how Ashes For Hope came to be. A couple of years ago I began volunteering at an SPCA. During my time spent there, I did all the usual "volunteer stuff'. I cleaned, did laundry, attended charity events and Pet Shows. I ran a neighborhood blanket drive and collected many items from their "wish list" in a box in my office from co-workers .I truly enjoyed spending time there. While volunteering one day I visited the "Euthanasia Room". While in that room I imagined what it might be like to be a family that perhaps never had the means to properly care for their beloved pet and was forced to face saying goodbye, or to be  a neglected, abused, stray, or unwanted animal who never knew love, compassion or dignity and this room was the last site they would see.....that is where my journey truly began. I immediately put out boxes for donations in several of my very generous friend's businesses and hoped to raise enough money to "renovate" this room into something that was a little more warm and comforting. 

Well, needless to say...I never raised quite enough money to do everything I wanted to do but did get the basics. I was able to provide paintings on the wall, throw pillows on the chairs, some new furniture, and a book on a little table that the workers or families could write down their thoughts and feelings. While acquiring items and funds for this room, I did informally interview the employees that were directly responsible for aiding in the euthanization or cremation process. It was most important to me to provide them with anything I could to make their "job" a little easier. Although I knew there was nothing I could personally do to help them in their gut wrenching duty of ending the life of an animal that was in severe pain and suffering due to abuse and neglect. Despite all the selfless efforts of the shelters and rescues, these animals were unable to be saved. I  asked them what bothered them the most about this aspect of their job. What I heard changed me forever and brought me to this very moment that I am writing to you...They told me that what bothered them the most was when they had to throw away the ashes of these poor nameless, faceless, discarded souls in a black trash bag in the dumpster.....This conversation and image haunted me for months. 

Then, one day...my mission was clear. I would take these discarded, unwanted ashes and turn them into something precious and beautiful that would be cherished and benefit animals as far as I can reach. I could help on a much larger scale than I ever dreamed. With the profits from my jewelry collection, my dream is to provide help and funding to those Animal Welfare Organizations, shelters,and rescues that have the same common goal. All animals deserve a chance. All animals deserve love, medical treatment, nourishment and rehabilitation if necessary. All animals deserve these things regardless of their breed or where they come from.
 
My dream is to reach into as many dark corners as possible with the light of hope and the mission of "Awareness".

Melissa Bernard