Once again, Prerogative and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph are joining forces to help stray and abandoned animals this holiday season with the Prerogative Shelter Drive, scheduled for Dec. 14-20.

So what, exactly, is a shelter drive? The idea was conceived last year when the many animal lovers on staff at Prerogative magazine realized some of their spoiled dogs and cats did not truly appreciate all the goodies lavished upon them at Christmas.

What would happen, we thought, if we donated half of our pets’ holiday goodies to the dogs and cats housed at the local animal shelter — and we asked others to do the same? We discovered the answer last December, when residents across the two Virginias stepped up and contributed food, treats and toys to the animals during our first-ever shelter drive.

In an effort to make gift giving easier, we worked with the Daily Telegraph circulation department. Readers were invited to leave pet toys, treats and food in their paper boxes, where newspaper carriers picked them up and brought them back, or bring donations directly to the offices of the Daily Telegraph or Princeton Times. Plans are to follow this format again this year.

The response to the 2007 Pet Drive was overwhelming. “In the days following the official kickoff of the event, I watched as the mountain of donations grew steadily larger,” Prerogative Editor Samantha Perry said. “Contributions included toys, treats and food for dogs and cats. Sorting through the goodies prior to their delivery, I counted hundreds of contributed items.

“The success of this event underscores a basic principle: If lots of people give a little, it can result in an enormous donation in the end,” Perry said.

But, as with last year’s event, we ask that those planning to donate keep the following the incredible funding needs of other local charities that help families and children in need of assistance, such as the Community Christmas Tree, Bluefield Union Mission and Salvation Army, to name a few. We respectfully ask that no one forego helping these crucial charities in order to purchase toys for the shelter animals.

However, last year’s Pet Drive underscored the charitable nature of the people of the two Virginias. Even while donating to other charities, many people still contributed a toy, a bone or a few cans of food to the animals at the shelter.

Last year, Prerogative and Telegraph staff member delivered the hundreds of contributed goodies to the Mercer County Animal Shelter prior to Christmas Eve, where county humane officer Stacy Shampo accepted the gifts, and expressed her appreciation to all those who opened their hearts to the animals.

“While touring the shelter after delivering the boxes of donations, it was heartbreaking to see the many dogs and cats housed there,” Perry said. “But I did leave with a good feeling knowing we, and the many kind-hearted people across southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia, had, hopefully, made their Christmas a little brighter.” P