I’m in a little bit of a pickle. Today is the ASPCA’s 141st birthday and they’re celebrating it with what I’m calling an “Orange Campaign.” They’re encouraging everyone to help them spread awareness and show support by donning as much orange as possible.
I’m not sure why orange. I believe because it’s the organization’s colors, but I couldn’t find anything to confirm that. I don’t have a lick of orange in my wardrobe. (Something that most Tennesseans do own, thanks to the Vols. However, I’m not from this area originally as we only moved here in 2005, nor am I a University of Tennessee fan, so hence no orange.)
But I want to show my support. So what else can I do?
I went to the ASPCA’s site where they’ve dedicated an entire page to going orange. Here are some of their tips for:
Other Ways to Spread the Orange Spirit
• Lights: they suggest orange rope lights that are available at most Home Depot and Lowe’s stores.
• Signs: get creative and make your own, or print out either a cat or dog poster from their site and hang it.
• Ribbons and Bows: Decorate computers, mailboxes, doors and doorways, stairs, etc. by wrapping and tying!
• Food and Drink: Orange Aid, Orange Juice, Orange Frosted Cupcakes–whatever orange delight you can concoct and share with classmates (yours or your children), co-workers, or at a community ASPCA event.
• ASPCA E-cards: 10 festively orange festooned cat and dog cards to choose from.
• Local shelters: participate in any events they may have planned today. (If you live in or near New York City, from 4-8p.m. today they’ll have music, food, and stars –of Animal Planet’s Animal Precinct– in Union Square.)
It will be interesting to see the many other ways people got involved. With a little imagination you could really go far!
(And I also know where I can get an orange T-shirt now, or even a wristband, so I’d have not only color appropriate gear next year, but also ASPCA-specific gear: from their online store!)
Fun Facts: Did You Know?
• The ASPCA was the first organization of its kind for animals in the Western Hemisphere.
• April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, because the ASPCA was founded in April.
• These world-renowned national landmarks are all going orange for animals today: The Empire State Building, the Los Angeles Coliseum, and Chicago’s Sears Tower.
• This year marks the first year for the “ASPCA Community Leader” contest. If you went orange and did it in a big way to lead your community, check out their site to see how you can enter to win. Whoever’s found to be most creative gets trip to New York for a two night, three day stay, a tour of the ASPCA shelter, and a chance to meet the ASPCA’s president and Humane Law Enforcement Officers.
• In 1912, the Titanic set sail today. (Not related to ASPCA, but interesting it shares today’s date.)
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