MONROE - The Swiss Colony has a long tradition of donating money to local groups, but company President John Baumann has come up with an idea to use the contributions to foster community volunteerism.
Baumann presented a plan to the Green County Humane Society this week to help the shelter gain volunteers.
Baumann said Friday his plan includes the Monroe Area Rebel Soccer (MARS) players, parents and coaches and the Monroe Theatre Guild (MTG).
His plan calls for both groups to offer volunteers to work at the shelter from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays in return for donations from the Swiss Colony.
"We're trying to stimulate more community service," Baumann said. "We thought we'd try a different twist."
People can help service organizations such as the Green County Humane Society through monetary donations or through volunteering their time.
The humane society wants to regain its credibility with the community, Baumann said, and it requires a volunteer effort.
Baumann said the Swiss Colony has helped MARS financially in the past and will continue to do so, but now the group can help with an important organization at the same time. He said the MTG recently purchased the Stage building downtown and also has approached the Swiss Colony for donations.
"It's good for all three groups," he said. "They will get some money and the humane society will get reliable volunteers. Both groups can spread the word about the humane society and help the humane society achieve its ultimate goal of helping more animals."
Baumann said the humane society can save money because paid staff won't be needed to work at the shelter on Monday and Tuesday nights.
"This gives the humane society a new population base that will volunteer and at the same time the groups get donations from the Swiss Colony," Baumann said.
Baumann said he's excited about the plan and so are the two groups that will provide volunteers for the shelter.
Green County Humane Society board President Yvonne Schutte said she's grateful for the offer and said it will help increase the number of volunteers, which is a good thing for the shelter.
"Once people fall in love with the animals, they're going to keep coming back to volunteer," she said.
Schutte said it also will help more people see what animals are available for adoptions.
"I think it will increase the number of adoptions," she added.
Baumann presented a plan to the Green County Humane Society this week to help the shelter gain volunteers.
Baumann said Friday his plan includes the Monroe Area Rebel Soccer (MARS) players, parents and coaches and the Monroe Theatre Guild (MTG).
His plan calls for both groups to offer volunteers to work at the shelter from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays in return for donations from the Swiss Colony.
"We're trying to stimulate more community service," Baumann said. "We thought we'd try a different twist."
People can help service organizations such as the Green County Humane Society through monetary donations or through volunteering their time.
The humane society wants to regain its credibility with the community, Baumann said, and it requires a volunteer effort.
Baumann said the Swiss Colony has helped MARS financially in the past and will continue to do so, but now the group can help with an important organization at the same time. He said the MTG recently purchased the Stage building downtown and also has approached the Swiss Colony for donations.
"It's good for all three groups," he said. "They will get some money and the humane society will get reliable volunteers. Both groups can spread the word about the humane society and help the humane society achieve its ultimate goal of helping more animals."
Baumann said the humane society can save money because paid staff won't be needed to work at the shelter on Monday and Tuesday nights.
"This gives the humane society a new population base that will volunteer and at the same time the groups get donations from the Swiss Colony," Baumann said.
Baumann said he's excited about the plan and so are the two groups that will provide volunteers for the shelter.
Green County Humane Society board President Yvonne Schutte said she's grateful for the offer and said it will help increase the number of volunteers, which is a good thing for the shelter.
"Once people fall in love with the animals, they're going to keep coming back to volunteer," she said.
Schutte said it also will help more people see what animals are available for adoptions.
"I think it will increase the number of adoptions," she added.