PAW gets early gift from Standard of Beaverdale

FORT MADISON – The PAW Animal Shelter got an early Christmas present Thursday afternoon and it came in four pretty big boxes.
The staff at Standard of Beaverdale delivered an industry-standard washer and dryer to the no-kill animal shelter on the west side of Fort Madison along with a couple storage boxes full of pet supplies and an envelope of cash.
Ben Dobson, appliances manager at Standard of Beaverdale, located in Beaverdale just west of West Burlington, said the appliances were donated by the hardware store to continue a program that started last year.
Speed Queen, through its 'Paw it Forward' program, selected the hardware store last year to receive a free washer and a free dryer to donate to the Des Moines County Humane Society.
“We heard about the program last year and applied and were blown away when they picked us. They delivered the two units and we took them over to the Des Moines County shelter,” Dobson said.
“This year we’ve seen an increase in Speed Queen sales, so we decided we would give back again this year ourselves. So last year Speed Queen gave the appliances and this year Standard of Beaverdale is.”

Dobson said the progress of the PAW animal shelter over the last two years including the new facility and the number of pets they keep and don’t put down has garnered the attention of southeast Iowa and that was part of the reason they wanted to make the donations.
PAW director Sandy Brown and her staff were invited out to the hardware store on Friday last week and they took some animals out with them. Dobson said his wife baked up a bunch of sugar cookies and they held a supply and donation drive on site.
“People brought in supplies, food, and some even brought in blankets. We had a good time and raised some money along with the donations so we’re just handing it all over today,” he said.
“Just before Christmas.”
Brown said the event last week actually resulted in two animals being adopted. She thanked Standard of Beaverdale and Dobson for the donations and said they will be put to good use.
“I may have to take a night class to figure out all these buttons, but we can’t thank you enough for all of this,” she said.