“We looked for new ideas for fundraising to support Sarge’s work saving homeless dogs and cats, but wanted to go beyond photos of our animals,” said Pamela Wilcox Smith, Sarge’s interim executive director. “We wanted to feature something that makes us proud of our community, and decided to honor Haywood County’s first responders, Haywood businesses and Sarge’s adoptable dogs and cats.”

The public is encouraged to ‘vote’ for the nominated hero responders from Oct. 14-28. 

Voting can be via social media, Sarge’s website or in-person at Sarge’s Adoption Center. The top hero vote-getter will be featured on the calendar’s cover page and the next top vote-getters will be featured on a 2023 month.

Local businesses are being sought to serve as the photographic backgrounds for each month. The first 12 businesses donating $400 or more to Sarge’s will be chosen as photo backgrounds.

“Tying in local sponsor business as backdrops for the monthly photos will give the businesses great exposure during the year,” Smith said.

When the voting ends, professional photographer Allison Frost will come to the donors’ businesses with the first responder hero — and the hero’s choice of Sarge’s animal — to take pictures for the calendar.

The 2023 ‘Furrst Responder Hero’ calendars will be sold in November and December at Sarge’s Adoption Center, on Sarge’s website, at the sponsor’s places of business, as well as throughout Haywood County. 

“There are just a few spots left to get your businesses’ picture in the Sarge’s 2023 calendar,” Smith said.