‘It would mean everything’: Riverwoods animal shelter starts public fundraiser for rebuild

To Sandy De Lisle, head of development and community engagement at the Riverwoods-based pet shelter Orphans of the Storm, the realization that something had to be done to the 100-year-old building was when they had to shut down their kennels due to safety issues.

De Lisle, who grew up down the street from the shelter, used to volunteer there in high school and said that now the facility is failing them.

“I think it’s been a gradual realization,” she said.

Friday through Saturday, Feb. 14, Orphans of the Storm is starting a public fundraiser titled “Double Your Love,” aimed at raising $2.3 million to fund the $15 million reconstruction of the business.

Orphans of the Storm has been fundraising for the past fourteen months, according to De Lisle, and have raised almost $13 million from other foundations, groups and sponsors who have supported them in the past.

The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare will match every gift made during the campaign up to $100,000.

According to De Lisle, the infrastructure of the shelter has become outdated after decades of use, with some equipment dating back further than 1928 when the business opened. That includes their HVAC system, a “sinking” foundation, isolation areas for animals and the dog kennels.

With the money from the fundraiser, Orphans of the Storm will be able to renovate and provide the adequate accommodations they need, including larger kennel spaces, outdoor access for all animals, protected patio areas, a community room and many more amenities.

Michael Randell, president of the Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare, said he’s been in contact with the shelter since last year and is excited to see the new facility when it’s done.

“It’ll be great for potential adopters to be able to interact with their animals and hopefully increase the amount of animals that can be saved and given to loving homes,” he said.

The shelter has rescued over 150,000 animals since its founding, according to their website. De Lisle believes the increased help from the public will allow them to finish the renovation and better serve the animals and communities they care for.

“It would mean everything to me,” she said. “To be able to see it come full circle would be absolutely incredible for me and probably really the highlight of my life.”