Left: The first “customer”
arrives the same day LMH
class members complete
improvements to the MHPD
Canine Impound Facility for
their Pups In Need Community
Service Project.
Below: Kennels get new dog
houses and beds.
Below Left: The Pups In Need
project included installation
of a new storage unit and
portable cage kennel.
Leadership Morgan HIll Class of 2017 Ribbon-cutting ceremony
to celebrate completion of their community service project at the
Morgan Hill Police Department.
“People join us because they want to connect with our community
and contribute in a meaningful way. We help them build leadership
skills, explore community service interests, and make a difference
through personal commitment and involvement.”
Cricket Rubino, President, Leadership Morgan Hill
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
that much-needed improvements to the facility could
be made within the $10,000 fundraising limit we were
given. The project also provided many and varied roles
for class participation. But what really inspired our
votes was knowing that our project could deliver three
benefits: it would tangibly improve the living condi-
tions for the dogs placed in the MHPD facility, it would
provide a better working environment for the MHPD
officers taking care of the dogs, and our funding of these
improvements meant the PD could allocate more of its
operating budget to its highest priority—staffing the
department with quality officers who ensure our
public safety.
We hosted a series of fundraisers at Coffee Guys,
Bubbles Wine Bar, and the Running Shop & Hops.
We also held a group rummage sale. Our fundraising
team led outreach to corporate sponsors and individual
donors. Thanks to the generous support of South Valley
Internet, TenCate, Morgan Hill Animal Hospital, South
County Animal Hospital, local high school student
Meghana Khera, and several dozen other donors, we
raised the funds necessary to complete our project.
We even had money left over, which we donated to the
MHPD to fund ongoing needs at the impound facility.
To keep the project running smoothly, we leveraged
technology. For starters, we used Google Drive to share
and collaborate on budget reports, newsletters, ads,
presentations, and meeting minutes. PayPal became our
go-to tool for processing donations, and Facebook made
it easy for us to promote our project.
We had a “building party” during which we
assembled dog beds, dog houses, and a new storage
shed for the Canine Impound Facility; then we threw
an “installation party” there. That same afternoon, we
had our first customer. It was a little Terrier mix found
wandering the campus of a local school. We knew he
was now in good hands in a comfortable shelter. Since
then, the City of Morgan Hill put a Pet Information
Flyer created by our class on its website, morgan-hill.
ca.gov/130/Animal-Services.
During our time together for committee meetings and
fundraisers, we discovered special skills possessed by
different class members, and figured out how to overcome
occasional obstacles. Ultimately, our community service
project gave some of us the opportunity to step out of our
comfort zones into new roles, while others had a chance
to use their skills and expertise in a new environment.
The Class of 2017 is active in the community,
helping at annual events, serving at local churches,
and volunteering with local nonprofits and on city
commissions. We all love our community and now have
a broader appreciation for all that makes Morgan Hill
such a wonderful place to call home.
Follow us on Facebook or visit our website,
leadershipmorganhill.org to learn more or submit an
application to be considered for next year’s class.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
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