one by one®: Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest
Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest (RAGOM) holds one major fundraiser—Goldzilla—which is also one of the biggest golden retriever events in America. It includes a walk, vendors, food trucks, dog games and skills, including an agility course. There’s also a beach where the dogs can
swim. Amy Lake, development and marketing director, was happy to receive a one by one grant to purchase dog toy giveaways for the Dog Lotto game—and explained how the game worked.
“Individuals donated money, and dogs picked a tennis ball from a pool,” Lake said. “Each ball had a number on it and earned a prize from the corresponding prize bin. The toys were the hardest-to-win prizes and were coveted by the owners and, of course, the dogs.”
Dog toy giveaways help fundraiser exceed goal
All money raised at Goldzilla supports RAGOM’s mission of rescuing and rehoming golden retrievers and golden mixes of all ages. Last year, the event surpassed its goal and raised over $100,000.
RAGOM began as Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota in 1985, inspired by one homeless golden retriever whose time was up at a shelter. In 2017, the organization adopted its current name to reflect its expansion to four other states, including Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The group has rescued and rehomed more than 9,000 golden retrievers and golden retriever mixes.
What’s unique about RAGOM
Through RAGOM, all goldens that are rescued from commercial breeders or surrendered by their owners stay in foster homes, not a shelter. The volunteers get to know the personalities and needs of each dog to match them with their adopted family. RAGOM also takes in dogs with behavior or other challenges, like separation anxiety or those needing medical care.
“The dogs that I’ve remembered over my 10 years working for RAGOM are those rescued from commercial breeders,” Lake said. “They are often afraid of people, and everything is new and scary. We place them in a foster home with another dog to be a mentor to show them simple things, like going up and down stairs. It’s so satisfying to see them go from being scared to being social and enjoying being a dog.”
A note from Cheryl
Dogs bring so much joy to people, and it’s an honor to give back to them. We’re glad to know that dog toy giveaways helped raise money for RAGOM to continue to rescue more golden retrievers and help them find new homes. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.com.