At times we receive phone calls from individuals who are moving or downsizing. They have stained glass windows they don’t know what to do with. We usually do not purchase such windows, but offer the opportunity to make a donation. They donate the windows to us, we will do repairs (if needed) and put them up for sale in the store. When they sell, we accumulate the money and make a donation to a special animal shelter.
There’s something we really love about giving old things a second chance — whether it’s a beautiful stained glass window or an animal waiting for a new home.
These windows range from being somewhat plain to ornate pieces of art. They are clearly labeled as a donation and we clearly indicate that the money from the sale of the donated window will go directly to the animal shelter.
Recently, we were very happy to make another donation!
In the past, we have donated to a number of other animal shelters. However, when we spoke to our own veterinarian, he explained that those animal shelters were well known and comparatively well funded. In his experience, the Upper Credit Humane Society shelter was both a good shelter, but relatively unknown in our area, and therefore underfunded. He recommended that we donate our raised money to that shelter, and we followed his advice.
Paul, owner of The Stonehouse, headed over to the Upper Credit Humane Society to deliver the money in person — and, of course, we took a few photos while he was there.
It’s a lovely little circle: a window that once had a home is donated to us, someone new discovers it and gives it another home, and the money from that window helps support animals who are also waiting for homes of their own.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated a window, purchased one of our donated windows, or helped us continue this tradition. What might seem like one small act of generosity can keep travelling much further than you might expect.
And we think that’s a pretty wonderful second life for an old window.
You can donate directly to the Upper Credit Humane Society here.
