Special Giving to Kenosha Forgotten Friends

Liz, during a recent visit to Kenosha Forgotten Friends in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Earlier this year, we announced that John, Suzy, and I annually contribute to select causes which are of special personal importance to us and fall beyond our three main areas of giving. We do this to honor Aunt Ann’s complete legacy, as she supported numerous nonprofits and charitable organizations throughout her life, especially those that worked to rescue and rehome abandoned animals.

Our Zekauskas family has always been involved with local animal shelters. We have grown up volunteering for them — walking dogs, socializing cats, cleaning enclosures, and donating towels, blankets, food, bowls, and even homemade dog treats (frozen biscuits with peanut butter).

I became involved with Kenosha Forgotten Friends (KFF) almost 10 years ago during our annual summer road trip to the Northern Wisconsin lakes. My college roommate, Judy, is a volunteer for KFF, as she lives in Kenosha, about an hour from Chicago. Every summer, we stop in Kenosha to visit Judy on the way north and my daughters spend the day at KFF, playing and socializing with the animals. We have made it a point to visit KFF at least once a year.

KFF was founded in 2013 as a foster-based organization to care for animals while they await placement in their forever homes. KFF also provides resources to families with pets who can longer afford pet food for their companion animals. Many of the animals taken on by KFF are sick and abandoned cats and dogs left at the local Kenosha-area veterinary practices. KFF uses its resources to nurture, foster, and place the animals. In 2017, KFF implemented a home pet food delivery program to provide and deliver pet food to those in financial need.

KFF’s goal is to help all animals in need, and, to the extent possible, to keep pets in their homes and out of shelters. As part of our special giving, we are honored to support the Kenosha Forgotten Friends impact in the Kenosha community.

—Liz