Santa Paws 2013

Photo by Leslie Heemsbergen

We attended Santa Paws, an event for Heartland Human Society, again this year.  Our local Earl May store provides the setting, a local photo shop donates the photo processing, a gracious volunteer is Santa, and local photographer, Leslie Heemsbergen, donated her time for photography.  Therefore, the entire $10 cost of the 5 X 7 photo ends up going to Heartland Humane to help the animals.

This is an annual event we have participated in for years, well, ever since we have our dog, who is now 13 years old.  Also, we have posted the event on the Williams Family Blog on more than one occasion.

But something happened this year that soured me on the event.  When we arrived it was great to see other dogs and we happily waited in line.  Since it can take a while to get the dogs ready for the photo, I asked if the boy could see Santa and I could take a photo with my phone.  The photographer told me no.  She said that this was a fundraiser and that I could pay for the extra photo.  I told her we were going to purchase a photo with the boy, the dog, and Santa, but wanted to capture a photo with just the boy and Santa.  Again, was told no and “what if everyone wanted to do that?”    What I was thinking was that not everyone was there to do that nor would they be coming to do that in the four hours for the event.  She kept asking me if I understood and I kept replying “no” as I didn’t.  Finally, she stopped asking me and we waited for our turn for her to take our one photo.

While it was great that the photographer was donating her time, what difference would it have made for us to snap a photo with our phone or any other camera?  We were still paying for the photograph of which is she isn’t earning anything based on the volunteer status.  Her actions were intended, I guess, to raise more money for the event but what her actions may have done in the long run is to make less money for the event due to folks like us not wanting to return.  Another family attending the event, while not told no, were distracted by the photographer when they got out their camera/phone.

Also, we have been able to take photos at the event before, with the same photographer, and used them to promote the event via the blog.  So, why the change?  If we were taking the same photo that the photographer was taking or were somehow interfering with profit or copyright, I would understand.  But we weren’t, nor did we plan to.  I did express my displeasure to the organizers of the event.

Click here and here for photos and stories of previous Santa Paws events.

Let me compare this to other experiences when the goal of selling photos has been the same.  Let’s take Disney’s Photopass service as an example.  Certainly their goal is get you, as a Disney guest, to purchase photos, photo CD’s, even merchandise.  Though, each and every time a guest comes to a location with a Photopass photographer, not only will they take a picture with their camera, but they will offer to take a photo using the guest’s camera, phone, or tablet.  Since service is one of their pillars, it comes first before making the sale.  And, you know what?  We slap down the big bucks and pay for the photo CD.  Often, when they offer to take a photo using our camera, we decline as we appreciate their work and the ability to relax and enjoy our vacation.

So, while I wish I could share more photos of the event with you, this year, I am not able.  Next year?  Well the plan is to have video!  No one is selling video so this shouldn’t be a problem.  Should it?

Santa Paws 2012

Our winter holiday kick-off week-end also included Santa Paws, a fundraiser for our local humane society.

Each year our local Earl May provides a beautiful backdrop for photos along with a volunteer photographer, Santa, and donation of photo processing with all proceeds going to the local animal shelter. 

The volunteers running the event dote on each animal and provide a treat after the photo is taken—even the humans get a candy cane from Santa.  Many of the volunteers remember our dog, Phoebe, from previous Santa Paws events and her stay at the humane society, as we adopted her from the shelter.

Santa was in the holiday spirit and gave his hat to the boy to wear for the photo and had our 45 pound (not a lap dog) on his lap.  This was the second Santa sighting for the week-end and the same wish list was announced by the boy—games for his Nintendo 3DS XL.  Santa took note and is way ahead!

The photos are available for pick-up on Wednesday following the Sunday afternoon event at a local photo shop.

We also took some time to browse the beautiful displays at the garden center and see other animals.  It was a great afternoon and a great event.

Santa Paws

Santa Paws is an annual fundraising event for our local animal shelter, Heartland Humane Society.  Heartland Humane Society has a special place in our hearts, as that is where we found our dog almost 10 years ago.

Pet owners get to bring their pets to our local Earl May Garden Center which provides for a great backdrop for the event.  This year, Leslie Heemsbergen donated her time and photography talents to capture the animals with Santa.  Leslie has lots of experience photographing animals--click here to read more. The Photo Shop donates the photo processing and David Lowe donated his time to portray Santa.

Each 5 X 7 photo is a $10 donation to Heartland Humane Society.  Photos are available for pick-up three days after the event.  We can't wait to see ours!  

Photos can be reprinted, enlarged, and made into gifts or cards for an addition cost through The Photo Shop.

Santa Paws has become a tradition for our family with two of our family members being photographed with Santa.  And, it’s a great event to help other animals and reconnect with our friends at Heartland Humane Society.

A Week-end of Giving

This past week-end was a week-end of giving.  And, it’s not quite Thanksgiving yet!



Friday night was the opening night of our local area Chamber’s Holiday Nights and Lights.  One of our parks is filled with displays of holiday lights, that guests typically drive through to see.  But on Friday, guests could walk or hike the lights.  The fee was $5 per person and proceeds went to support our local trails—for walking and biking.

This is the third year we have hiked the lights and we brought along Grandma Carol and our dog.  The weather was great and the lights put everyone in the holiday spirit.

The boy noticed that two of the usual light displays were not there. . . the “shark” and the Wizard of Oz displays were missing.  The boy decided that they had been traded in for the Candy Factory light display.  He’s still not sure if it was worth the trade.

From now until shortly after the new year, the lights will be on each evening for drive through traffic.  There’s a house for Santa to visit at least until Christmas.

Saturday we took in the Festival of the Trees, a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, held at one of our local retirement living facilities.

Young guests got to decorate a cookie and take in a holiday story read by a special elf.

Santa was on hand to hear the wish lists of all the boys and girls.  The boy asked for trains!

I always admire the creativity of those that decorate the trees.  There were great themed trees this year and many different sized trees.

Sunday was the day for the annual Santa Paws event held at our local Earl May Garden Center as a fundraiser for Heartland Humane Society.

Each year, Earl May donates the setting, Santa donates his time, a local photographer donates time, equipment, and skill, and a local photo shop donates the photo processing.  Guests receive a great 5 X 7 photo of their pet with Santa for $10.

The three events, all packed into one week-end, catapulted us into the holiday season.  Now, I just need to get our tree up!