A Caring Touch, LLC
Congratulations, HighFives,
and Best Wishes!
My Furry Valentine 2016
Western & Southern Financial Group Makes Generous
Donation to The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati
A record-breaking 13,500 people (the farthest travelling from Canada!)
attended My Furry Valentine, the region’s largest annual animal adoption
event, on Valentine’s Day weekend 2016. Despite snowy weather conditions,
the fifth annual event saw a 35% increase in attendance over last year. 630
animals found homes over the two-day adoption event and hundreds of
adoption applications are still pending. An additional 50+ animals found
homes prior to the event due to increased awareness during pre-event
promotions.

The mega-adoption event has found homes for more than 2,600 animals over
the past five years by bringing together animal rescues and shelters from
throughout the region to showcase adoptable pets to potential pet owners at
one location on the Valentine’s Day weekend.

My Furry Valentine also aims to encourage community members who are
looking for a pet any time throughout the year to think adoption first.
“Many people would be surprised to learn just how many great family pets
they see in their neighborhoods that are actually rescue animals, including
purebreds,” said Carolyn Evans, founder of My Furry Valentine. “Our goal is
to dispel common myths about shelter animals and educate people about the
many resources where they can adopt. Saving an animal by choosing
adoption is easy. There are so many great local animal shelters and rescue
groups that are open and hosting adoption events every weekend. There are
always thousands of wonderful animals looking for a great homes!”

To learn more about the groups that participated at My Furry Valentine,
visit www.myfurryvalentine.com/animal-groups or look for your next pet
online at www.Petfinder.com. For additional information about
phoDOGrapher’s My Furry Valentine, visit
http://myfurryvalentine.com or
contact My Furry Valentine event organizer, Carolyn Evans at
carolyn@MyFurryValentine.com.


High-fives My Furry Valentine and all involved!  Congrats to all who found
furever love!
Date posted:  March 1, 2016

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The Salvation Army received funds totaling $36,578 from Western &
Southern Financial Group. The total amount includes $18,289 from visitor
donations received this season at the Crib of the Nativity display at Eden
Park’s Krohn Conservatory and an equal match from Western & Southern.

Since 1939, Western & Southern has sponsored the nativity display and for
many years has matched the monetary gifts donated by those visiting the
display. Since 1994, donations from visitors to the Christmas display and
Western & Southern’s match have resulted in more than $250,000 donated
to The Salvation Army.

“The Crib of the Nativity display is a true Cincinnati tradition,” said John
F. Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western &
Southern. “We are honored to partner with The Salvation Army on this
andmany other initiatives that help fulfill its mission of helping needy
children and the homeless in the Greater Cincinnati region. Involvement in
the community from individuals, organizations and businesses alike helps
Photo | The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati
Photo | My Furry Valentine
make Cincinnati a great place to call home.”

The Crib of the Nativity was first initiated by Western & Southern in 1939, where it was presented at Lytle Park. It quickly became
a popular attraction at Christmastime, as visitors of all ages enjoyed the realistic nativity scene with live animals. Since 1954, the
nativity has been presented in partnership with the Biedenharn family of Crittenden, Ky.  The family of plant nurserymen and
women has been dedicated to the nativity display for generations – building it, storing it, managing it, and providing and caring
for the live animals.

During WWII the display temporarily moved to Union Terminal where it served an important role in both sending off and
welcoming home troops serving the country.  After the war, the display returned to Lytle Park then moved to Eden Park in the late
1960s when construction on I-71 necessitated a new site.  Over the years, thousands have visited the display each Christmas
season, and it has become a multi-generational tradition for many families who appreciate its simple message to “Keep Christ in
Christmas.”

“We’re very grateful to all those who donate at the nativity display and Western & Southern’s matching gift year-after-year,” stated
Major Larry Ashcraft, Divisional Commander at The Salvation Army.  “Western & Southern has been at our side for many years,
making possible our programs that support Cincinnati area residents of all ages, from the children in our after-school programs to
the seniors at our housing facility, and all those in between who come to us daily for various forms of assistance. We can only
fulfill our mission when those in the community stand alongside us with their donations of time, talent and treasure.  Time and
again, Western & Southern has been a role model for corporate partnerships in the life-changing work of agencies like The
Salvation Army.”

Those interested in learning more about the work of The Salvation Army in the local community are invited to visit
www.salvationarmycincinnati.org, and to follow the agency’s activities via Facebook (www.facebook.com/salvationarmycincinnati)
and Twitter (www.twitter.com/salarmycincy).  Donations can be made online, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.  Those in need of
assistance can visit their local Salvation Army Community Center, or call 513-762-5660 to be directed to the appropriate
resources.

High-fives Western & Southern Financial Group!