Make A Difference This Valentine’s Day

It is estimated that Americans will spend approximately $18 billion, that’s BILLION, with a B, on Valentine’s Day this year. 

While I admit, it is really nice to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers, box of chocolates, and enjoy a nice night out, I'd like to see just what could be done if that $18 billion were used a different way. 

With $18 billion, Southeastern Guide Dogs could breed, raise, train, place and provide follow-up care for 300,000 guide dog teams.  Or we could feed almost 50,000,000 dogs-in-training for a year. Or 5,100,000+ people could have puppies-in-training named after them.  Or we could purchase more than 60,000,000 guide dog harnesses and leashes.  Wow!

To bring those numbers down to more feasible terms, the average American will spend $135 on Valentine’s Day. That $135 will feed more than all of the dogs that are on campus for training for one day.  Now that’s quite an impact just one person can have!

Want something tangible for your sweetie, but also want to do good?  Shop at our gift shops – all the proceeds go to Southeastern’s mission whether you shop at the Gift Shop on campus in Palmetto, or stop by the unique pet boutique at our downtown Sarasota location, on Main Street, or visit our on-line gift shop at www.guidedogs.org/store.

How will you celebrate Valentine’s Day?  I’m going down to the Puppy Kennel for some puppy love!