Several projects were completed Saturday at the Columbia County Animal Protection Society Animal Shelter and the CCAPS Thrift Store in a partnership with Making Magnolia Blossom volunteers and CCAPS.

Before the dust has even settled from this weekend’s work, MMB is having an open monthly meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. in SAU’s Reynolds Center room 210 to discuss plans for the upcoming October 24 Big Splash event. Ideas are always welcome. Donations toward the cause, too, are always needed as MMB is a publicly funded non-profit organization. To offer input or to give to MMB, contact Deana Taylor at (870) 235-4922 or DeanaTaylor@saumag.edu.

Along with general landscaping, things accomplished at this weekend’s MMB September Second Saturday event included the addition of a chain-link fence for a new outdoor pen area, woodwork to add support and railing to an entrance ramp, and dirt work and ground clearing.

This Second Saturday was a success not only because of the labor provided by MMB and CCAPS, but through the generosity of the public. The purchase of supplies, including Quickrete, wood, and water and snacks, was made possible by four community member donations that totaled $330. Another donation is expected this week.

An employee of CMC Steel worked throughout the morning on a small dozer, making it possible to clear small trees and brush from behind CCAPS’ large fenced area in back of the shelter. Completion of the new fence would not have been achieved if not for Brandon Couture of JPS Equipment Rental delivering a post-hole auger for free use by MMB.

Once again, the MMB volunteer base was a diverse mix of community and SAU participants, including regular MMB faces along with first-timers. The Men’s Mulerider Basketball Team again joined the effort and provided muscle in moving large pens and fencing materials, height in trimming tall bushes, and carpentry skills in repairing the ramp. Half the team was also dispatched to the CCAPS Thrift Shop to help organize the donation inventory.

As with earlier Second Saturday events this summer in which MMB partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Magnolia, this one proved to be a success and MMB plans to return for a second Second Saturday to do additional work at CCAPS in November.