One emergency management team has found a different way to focus attention on its endeavors. A new member of the Fulton County Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA) known as Trash Panda has been working to help raised money and awareness within the community. Part of a litter of kittens being fostered by Chris Helle, director of the ESDA, and his wife, the president of the local Humane Society, Trash Panda became the face of a campaign to raise money for the Salvation Army. Set at an initial goal of $250, the campaign instead raised about $1000. Says Helle, “We issued a challenge out in the county to raise money for the Salvation Army Christmas campaign. I figured issuing a friendly challenge wouldn’t get out of hand… and it did get out of hand.”
Helle also notes, “This staff member really helps reach our community. He helps highlight what we do. He’s a good resource for our agency, plus he connects to our community.” With pictures of Trash Panda being used on Facebook, Helle also notes how this kitten helps make it fun to learn about serious safety topics.
The benefit isn’t just to the ESDA. Say member of the Humane Society Sammi Bryant of Trash Panda, “I think with all the challenges that he was faced with like the Salvation Army, it’s brought awareness to more people about the humane society.”
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