BUCKHANNON – With a spurt of warmer temperatures this week, there’s no question that springtime is around the corner.

One might say it’s “purr-fect” timing for the local nonprofit Animal Outreach Project’s upcoming spring bulb fundraiser.

In the last four years, AOP has assisted community pet owners with the cost of spay-and-neuter procedures among other offerings, including a pet bank supplied with food, straw, doghouses and other necessities.

Because the organization runs solely on volunteers, AOP looks toward grants and fundraisers to help with financial assistance.

So, if you’re looking to give back to your neighbors’ furry friends and purchase new bulbs for the upcoming gardening season, AOP’s newest fundraiser is ideal.

“We have partnered with the online group Three Rivers Wreath and Plant company to run this sale March 1 through April 24,” said Samantha Atchison, vice president of AOP. “Bulbs are scheduled for delivery just in time for spring planting!”

Three Rivers Wreath and Bulb Company have opted to give 50 percent of all sales to AOP, Atchison noted.

Other than the cause, why should folks choose to purchase bulbs from AOP’s fundraiser rather than a gardening store or local greenhouse?

Atchinson said the answer is simple.

“People can expect the ease and convenience of at home shopping and delivery,” she said. “No waiting in line or hoping the store has that specific flower bulb you have been wanting.”

And, what makes this fundraiser even more important is that Community Cats Podcast will generously match funds received dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000, Atchinson added.

According to its website, Community Cats Podcast’s mission is “to provide education, information and dialogue that will create a supportive environment empowering people to help cats in their community.”

One hundred percent of funds raised from AOP’s bulbs sale will be utilized to aid in spay-and-neuter assistance in the community.

With AOP’s last fundraiser canceled due to low turnout – a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the city’s Cherry Blossom Festival – Atchison said she hopes that with the easement of the spring sale, the fundraiser will be more successful.

“There are many more choices and a variety of price ranges to choose from,” she said. “Depending on this turnout, we’ll determine if we use this fundraiser again. They do offer a fall bulb sale and a wreath sale just in time for Christmas.”

Visit https://threeriversfundraising.com/fund/aopwv-spring2019 to place your order or contact AOP via Facebook.