NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL). Why was it started?

Joan Schramm: MAGDRL was started to help abandoned, neglected and/or abused Great Danes find suitable homes. With over 600 volunteers, we spay/neuter, provide necessary medical treatment and train/socialize the Danes in our care to ensure adaptability in their new homes. Through various community efforts, we also work to educate the public and potential owners about caring for this wonderful breed.

NPC: Who does it serve?

Joan Schramm: We serve 9 states in the Mid-Atlantic region, plus the District of Columbia – NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, WVA, VA, NC and SC

NPC: How long have you been in operation?

Joan Schramm: MAGDRL was founded in 1979.

NPC: How many people did you serve your first year? And, this year?

Joan Schramm: Unfortunately, we don’t have reliable records earlier than 2000. In 2000, we rescued 284 Danes. For comparison, in 2007 it was 348; 554 in 2008; and 326 in 2009.

NPC: What is your most difficult challenge as a nonprofit?

Joan Schramm: Fundraising, as I’m sure it is for all non-profits. We are all-volunteer, so every penny we raise goes to support the Danes. Being all-volunteer is another challenge – everyone is working for the benefit of the breed but sometimes real life overcomes rescue. People do too much and get stretched so thin they burn out.

NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

Joan Schramm: Without historical records it’s hard to say, and none of our current volunteers were with the rescue back then. If I had to guess, I’d say the same as it is now – money and time.

NPC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a nonprofit?

Joan Schramm: Be very focused and clear on what your goal is. Have a plan. Have a money source. Start small and build. Don’t try to do it all alone – assemble a strong team with a good leader who knows how to build consensus. And keep accurate records.

NPC: How can people get involved?

Joan Schramm: There are many ways to help the rescue. We accept donations and sponsorships for our Danes in addition to hosting numerous fundraisers to help cover the cost of medical expenses. We are always in need of volunteers to help with a variety of tasks and we never have enough foster homes for our Danes. Our website www.magdrl.org has information on the latest fund-raisers and volunteer opportunities.

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Joan Schramm: Great Danes are well-named “Gentle Giants”. It’s a common misperception that they need a lot of room to run around. They’re very low-energy dogs and, aside from a short walk every day, are perfectly happy lying on the couch with you. We place a lot of them in small houses, townhouses and condos, and they are better suited to small places than a tiny dog with a lot of energy – like a Jack Russell.

All of us in MAGDRL do it for the love of the breed, and for the respect and admiration we have for one another. I’ve been involved in other groups where the in-fighting and scrapping made it almost impossible to function. In the 6 years I’ve been with MAGDRL, I’ve seen very little of that. Although we’re geographically spread out, the people in each region are always willing to lend a hand to another region. We work together exceptionally well, and everyone cheers everyone else’s success and shares one another’s sorrows. It’s a cliché to say we’re like a family, but in this case it’s very true. I feel closer to people in MAGDRL who I’ve never met than I do to some of my relatives.

Joan Schramm is the MD/DC Publicity Coordinator and Newsletter Editor for MADRL. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.magdrl.org/.

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