The Clinton Animal Shelter’s Facebook page often says it. There is a need for food or other items that help this charitable institution keep its dogs and cats healthy.
Heritage Tractor heard the call when the folks at its local dealership chose the shelter as the recipient of a $1,000 donation. The Clinton dealership is not only one giving donations. Heritage Tractor has 21 dealers scattered from northern Arkansas through Missouri and Kansas, and each one is giving $1,000 to community organizations.
Each dealership is choosing who in its community needs and deserves the award. The Clinton Heritage Tractor dealer’s choice was the Clinton Animal Shelter. Other dealerships have chosen food pantries, fire departments, Future Farmers of America chapters, sheriff departments, and animal shelters similar to Clinton’s.
Heritage Tractor sells John Deere tractors and other farm equipment as well as lawnmowers, construction and landscaping equipment, utility vehicles and equipment by other manufacturers as well as the iconic John Deere brand.
There has been a John Deere dealership in Clinton for decades. In 2002, it was owned by the Shoemaker Equipment, and then it was purchased by a company in Harrisonville. In 2007, Heritage Tractor bought the Clinton dealership. Currently, there are 20 employees.
“We were very surprised to receive the donation,” said Heidi Crabtree, director of the Clinton Animal Shelter, “and we’re very grateful. Funds are tight right now, and this donation is greatly appreciated.”
Abbie Cardwell, parts lead at Clinton’s Heritage Tractor, said that making the donation to the animal shelter was, “something we all felt was worthwhile.”
The donation will be given to the shelter in a ceremony on July 2nd at 10 am. It’s part of a ‘giving back’ that is part of Heritage Tractor’s outreach program. “Our goal is threefold,” says Heritage Tractor’s brand manager Jessi Ganoung.
“First and foremost is to give back something to those who are doing good in our communities. Second is to have something that employees can get excited and feel good about. The donations were based on their choices, and they will get to help present the checks. Lastly, our goal is to show customers that it is more than just selling a tractor to us, (we want) to be part of the communities we serve and stick around for generations to come,”
The presentation will be more than just presenting a check. It will start with the flag-wrapped Heritage Tractor leaving the dealership on Highway 7 and driving to the Clinton Animal Shelter for the presentation.
“We’ll try to have members of the board here,” said Crabtree, “to receive the check.” She added that the money will be used to pay medical bills and not to fill the constant need for food.
Currently, the animal shelter is running very low on Pedigree Adult dog food and Purina Cat Chow as well as bleach, paper towels and bath towels in good shape. Donations of these items can be dropped off at the shelter at 1307 N. Washington Street in Clinton. The shelter also accepts checks, money or donations made through PayPal.
For more information on the shelter, check its Facebook page or call 660-885-7999. For information about the John Deere line of equipment, contact the Clinton Heritage Tractor dealership at 660-885-4821.
