Lynn Hagemann, whose pony rides business at William Land Park was featured in the Aug. 11 edition of this publication, has a love for animals that extends well beyond ponies.

SOUTH SACRAMENTO resident Edward Cervantes, Jr. recently made friends with Daisy the dog at Hagemann Rescue in William Land Park. Daisy is currently available for adoption. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

For the past 23 years, she has operated a dog and cat rescue business, known as Hagemann Rescue. And in those years, Hagemann has found homes for about 1,200 dogs and about 800 cats that would have otherwise been euthanized.

In speaking about her efforts to save the lives of animals, Hagemann said, “We go to the pound to see whose time is up and that’s who we choose.”

Hagemann, whose love for animals began during her childhood, said that her road to establishing her dog and cat rescue business mainly began when she was a United Parcel Service driver.

“I’ve always rescued dogs and picked them up off the streets and stuff like that,” Hagemann said. “I worked for UPS and my mom (Fran Pederson) worked in a veterinary hospital and people would have their dogs and they wanted to put them to sleep, because they couldn’t afford the bill. My mom would tell me about certain dogs and I’d ask people on my UPS route and try to find them homes, which I did.”

In an attempt to assist more animals, Hagemann went to the local animal control shelter at 2127 Front St. and inquired about providing volunteer work.

After being turned away, because the shelter did not accept volunteers, Hagemann discovered an advertisement for the Yolo County Animal Services.

“The Yolo County animal control, they advertised that they wanted volunteers, so I went in there and I started taking animals down to (William Land) Park,” Hagemann said. “I talked to the people who run my contract there (at the park) and they said as long as they (obtained approval of) everyone around the area – the zoo, the animal control, the SPCA, everybody – and (the animals) were spayed and neutered, I could have them (at the park).”

Today, most of the animals available to the public for adoption through Hagemann’s rescue business are dogs that she acquires from the Sutter County Animal Control shelter in Yuba City.

Hagemann said that she feels especially good about taking animals out of the Yuba City shelter, because the animals at this Sutter County facility are housed in very tight quarters.

Generally, Hagemann selects mixed breed dogs, since purebred dogs are more likely to be adopted from animal control shelters.

The dogs and cats of Hagemann Rescue are strategically placed within a gated area near the entrance to the Land Park Pony Rides, in order that these animals receive the best exposure to guests of the pony rides and the nearby Funderland.

Hagemann Rescue animals are popular with many park guests and many times people arrive at the pony rides area simply to visit the dogs, and cats, if any are present.

In a show of appreciation, many people who have acquired animals from Hagemann return to visit her at her place of work.

Hagemann recalled that a woman recently visited her with some photographs of her dog.

“A lady came here and she had pictures of her little Chihuahua mixed dog, and they have two acres, and she was telling me how this dog sleeps on her husband’s arm at night on their bed and how spoiled it was and how they loved the dog,” Hagemann said. “And that’s what happens all the time with the dogs that people get here. And I love it when people get dogs here, because we get to turn around and get another one.”

When asked whether she is active with any hobbies, Hagemann was quick to mention that her involvement with animals is her hobby.

“(Working with animals) is in the blood, I guess,” said Hagemann, who in addition to her ponies, horses and mule, owns six “keeper dogs,” three cats and various geese and chickens on her property in Sheridan in Placer County. “I’ve always loved animals from the time I was a little kid. I’m not sure whether my mom and dad loved animals. Maybe that’s where it came from, but I love almost any kind of animal. I’m not real big into reptiles, but anything with fur on it.

“My interest is animals and that’s why I give the pony rides, because I love animals and that gives me an excuse to have (the ponies), and they pay for themselves pretty much. And I never get tired of going to the pound and getting new dogs to take home and teach them how to walk on a leash, and (working) with them.”

Considering that Hagemann said that she does “not make a penny” on placing dogs and cats in new homes, it is evident that she operates her rescue business because of her love for animals.

“We put (the animals) up for adoption for the money that I have into them,” Hagemann said. “So, actually they cost me, because I’m not like most of the rescue groups that charge for going to get the dogs, their time, gas and everything else. I just charge for the price of purchasing the dogs and shots, (de-)worming and that sort of thing. There’s no money in it. This is my hobby. I don’t drink beer, alcohol or anything like that, so I feel that if I don’t get all the money out of the dogs, that’s okay, because it makes me happy.”

On average, the cost of adopting a dog from Hagemann is about $60, and a cat from Hagemann costs an average of about $40.

For additional information regarding, Hagemann Rescue, call (916) 645-1161.

Pocket area resident Jan Wilson is in her 10th year of collecting and distributing clothing and blankets to members of the homeless community of Sacramento. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

Known by this title in different parts of the city, “the extra layer of clothing lady” has developed a positive reputation for her assistance to the homeless community of the Sacramento area.

In her everyday life, this person is Pocket area resident Jan Wilson. But during various nights during the winter months, she serves a different role under this earned title.

Decade of collecting

For the past 10 years, Wilson has been aggressively collecting “cast-off,” used clothing and blankets and distributing these articles directly to the less fortunate of society who are in need of additional warmth during cold nights.

Wilson, a fifth generation Sacramentan and a 1983 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, recently described the events that led to her decision to assist the homeless community in this manner.

“After many accounts of being asked for money from panhandlers, I started carrying around extra layers of clothing during the wintertime, so when somebody asked me for ‘spare change,’ I would be able to offer them something more viable as an alternative,” Wilson said. “As a result, my car became a beacon for the homeless. At times, when I am in the Land Park area, for example, I have come out to my car only to find someone waiting for me in order to ask me if I had any clothing to give away.”

The items of clothing accepted for the project are sweatshirts, flannel shirts, sweaters, jackets, scarves, shoes and matching or mismatching socks that can be repurposed as gloves.

Jan Wilson places a bag filled with donated clothing and blankets in the back of the car that she uses to transport these and other donated items to people in need. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

The majority of the donated clothing, as well as blankets, for her project, Wilson stressed, is distributed for the purpose of providing “upper body warmth.”

Initially, Wilson collected clothing from her own closet, as well as from the closets of her friends and family members.

Wilson said that because she had exhausted her resources amongst her friends and family by her fourth year of collecting extra layers of clothing and blankets, she found it necessary to find other avenues to collect such donations.

Clothing & blanket drop offs

Fortunately for Wilson, she discovered three local businesses that were willing to comply with her request to become a drop-off point for anyone who was interested in assisting with the clothing and blankets donation portion of her project. These businesses are: Pocket Club at 5043 Freeport Blvd., XO Lounge at 1400 Broadway and Brownie’s Lounge at 5858 South Land Park Drive.

Dedicated to assisting Wilson with her project, several local business employees and patrons have provided exceptional support through their donations of clothing and blankets at these drop-off points.

These people include: bartenders Susie Roberts and Janet Galsote of the Pocket Club at 5043 Freeport Blvd., bartenders Deb McGee and Barbara Galvan of the XO Lounge, bartender Patrick McFarlin of Brownie’s, office manager Tammy Smith and real estate agents Violet Reed and Natalie Feirl of Century 21 Real Estate at 354 Florin Road and members of Elks Lodge No. 6 at 6446 Riverside Blvd. and patrons of the Flame Club at 2130 16th St.

Jan Wilson inspects a jacket that was donated to her project to warm the homeless during cold winter nights. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

Providing names of most contributors to her project is not so simple, Wilson notes, considering that about 90 percent of the clothing and blankets for the project are anonymously donated.

Galvan, who resides in midtown Sacramento, said that she is pleased to have the XO Lounge serve as one of the project’s drop-off points.

“(Wilson) came in (to the XO Lounge) and asked if it was okay if we put a box here for the clothes and naturally, we said, ‘Yes,’” Galvan said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing what (Wilson) is doing. A lot of customers have donated to (the project). She’ll be giving (the clothes and blankets) out during the holidays. It’s like a little gift for a lot of people.”

Pocket resident Judy Willis is among the locals who have enjoyed assisting Wilson in her efforts to present homeless in Sacramento with warm clothing and blankets.

“I donated a jacket, because the color wasn’t right,” Willis said. “I admire (Wilson) for her spirit, her effort and I plan to give more (clothing).”

Wilson said that she is extremely grateful to the many people in the community who have assisted her with her project.

“I couldn’t have been able to help out so many people in need without the overwhelming generosity of the community,” Wilson said. “For that, I am truly thankful and blessed.”

With the assistance of the drop-off points, local contributors and word of mouth advertising, the process of Wilson’s distribution operation begins every October.

By November, Wilson’s donation collections for the project are in full swing.

Each year, Wilson hopes to have a sufficient supply of clothing and blankets to make her first round of deliveries by mid-December.

Jan Wilson shows an example of the type of clothing that she is seeking for her project. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

As she has done for the past decade, Wilson, after finding a companion to help her with her deliveries, makes her deliveries using her own transportation and gas money.

Routinely driving a small car to make stops at her drop-off points to pick up donations, Wilson then loads bags and boxes of clothing and prepares them for her deliveries.

Wilson, who makes the majority of her deliveries in downtown Sacramento, said that she delivers warm clothing and blankets to the needy during the coldest nights in the capital city.

“When its 6:30 p.m. at night and I don’t want to go outside because it’s so cold, that’s when I decide that it’s time to bring the clothing out to those on the street who are in need of extra layers of clothing,” Wilson said. “We all have to help each other out in this world. By bringing out the clothing, my hope is that these people (in need) realize that they aren’t just nameless and faceless people and that there are people out there who care about their well-being. I also hope that this effort helps to restore a little bit of faith in human kind.”

lance@valcomnews.com

Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) released details on its Winter Shelter plan for 2010–2011 on Oct. 25.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson / Valley Community Newspapers file photo, Stephen Crowley

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and County Board of Supervisors Chair Roger Dickinson joined a host of faith, community and government leaders to discuss key elements of the plan at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in midtown Sacramento.

From Nov. 22 to March 1, a total of 320 shelter beds will be available on any given night. The increased number of families served comes despite major cuts in funding. In 2008, $1.2 million in funding served 268 individuals. In 2009, officials created $500,000 for 315 families and children. This year, 320 beds will be available, despite significantly less funding.

“This is an extraordinary example of doing more with less,” explained Mayor Johnson. “Each year, we face bigger and bigger challenges to providing our homeless with emergency shelter during the winter. And yet, we continue to find ways to maintain and expand our services. I’m inspired by our community’s resilience and creativity.”

A total of $250,000 in public funding will be available. Sacramento County has identified $150,000 in one-time funding to contract with Volunteers of America and the Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center (SAEHC). Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) also plans

 to contract with SAEHC to provide motel vouchers for families and the most vulnerable homeless individuals. Motel vouchers will be funded with Community Development Block Grant funds.

“While we can’t do as much as we’d like, we are committed to assisting homeless children and families to the maximum extent possible,” said Supervisor Dickinson. “We will do everything we can to serve the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Both the City Council and County Board will discuss the plan at meetings scheduled for tomorrow.

SSF plans to raise an additional $70,000 through private donations. SSF has submitted several grant applications that are currently pending.

A key innovation this year is the increased role of the faith community. SSF is working with a growing number of congregations to provide nightly shelter for up to 100 single men and women. Under the plan, “host congregations” will provide space for families to sleep. Congregations will also partner with each other and key local nonprofit service providers to coordinate additional services, such as meals, travel and hospitality.

“We have a tremendous community of compassion that’s coming together,” explained Pastor Rick Cole of the Capital Christian Center.

So far, ten congregations from multiple denominations have joined to effort. “It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” explained Dean Brian Baker of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. SSF plans to recruit twenty in total.

“One of the principles that guides me as a Muslim is ‘love others as you love yourself,’” explained Imam Muhammad Abul Azeez of the SALAM Islamic Center. “I’m personally grateful for the chance to walk the walk.”

Sacramento Steps Forward is a homelessness initiative launched by Mayor Kevin Johnson in November 2009. SSF’s Policy Board includes business and faith community leaders, foundations, service providers, homeless and community representatives, and law enforcement and elected officials from around the city and region.

For more information, and to donate to this effort, visit www.sacramentostepsforward.com.