“Change in all things is sweet.” – Aristotle

Spring unfolds in many ways, as if several seasons coexist within a single span. Cherry blossoms burst forth and reach their peak in the nation’s capital, daffodils made their debut weeks ago, and now it’s the turn of tulips and azaleas to bloom and enchant. This annual transformation of our landscape catches us off guard, despite its predictable recurrence.  So much change in such a short period of time!

Change has not always been my ally. Accepting change as a positive force for personal and professional growth took years. However, this shift in mindset has made recent transitions within our nonprofit’s board membership easier to embrace. Allow me to share these changes with you.

Joe Cahill, who served as our nonprofit Board Chairman for over five years, stepped down in mid-March. Joe played a pivotal role in establishing our corporate governance structure—incorporation, bylaws, insurance liability, and more. As Joe and his family (including Joseph, our talented treat maker) relocate to Knoxville, Tennessee, we express our gratitude for his leadership during Pawfectly Delicious’s formative years.

Mary Kenkel, an At Large member, graciously accepted the nomination as Board Chairman and by formal vote at the April Board meeting was elected Board Chairperson.

Additionally, we bid farewell to Bob O’Hern, our Board Finance Chair, at the start of the new year. Bob meticulously managed our finances, ensuring the books were balanced. His generosity extended to in-kind assistance from his signage company. Fortunately, a mutual friend of Bob and mine stepped up to the challenge, and we welcome Steve Parker as our new Finance Chair. Steve’s quick grasp of the intricacies of our financial reporting is commendable.

In our pursuit of continued growth, we’ve been fortunate to welcome two new At Large members to our organization. Barton (Bart) O’Brien and Michael (Mike) Durkin bring years of experience in finance, marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship. Their addition enriches the composition of our board, blending diverse areas of expertise, experience, and talent. While personnel changes are significant, I’m eagerly anticipating the impact this group will have on Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats in the days ahead.

To delve into the biographies of our Board Members… CLICK HERE

With our new board in place, our focus for the foreseeable future is growth—specifically, increasing revenue through sales and fundraising. One of our key goals for 2024 is to host a major fundraiser that generates enough revenue to expand our team from ten employees to twelve. Months of planning have culminated in our inaugural fundraiser: “Paws and Pours.” This exciting event is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria, Virginia. Expect a memorable day filled with food, drinks, dog-friendly activities, live music, a silent auction, and a wine pull. Mark your calendars and spread the word among your four and two-legged friends—it’s all for a great cause! Tickets go on sale April 9, 2024, and you’ll find purchasing links on the Paws and Pours Event page on PDDT website soon.

To organize a successful event, we rely on a blend of sponsorship, ticket sales, and in-kind assistance. We’re actively seeking support from businesses, individuals, and foundations to sponsor our event. Various sponsorship opportunities offer significant benefits and exposure. If you’d like to learn more about sponsorship and how you can contribute,  CLICK HERE.

This is an exciting period for Pawfectly Delicious. We sincerely hope you’ll continue to champion our mission as we forge ahead, embrace change, and create more opportunities for differently abled adults in our community.