Changing the world one random act of kindness at a time.

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CSalZgHVAAIjXMlPack those suitcases and make a little room for some donations… Random Acts is headed back to the Windy City! From September 9-11, staffers Jennifer, Julie, and Melanie will be in attendance at Creation Entertainment’s Official Supernatural Chicago Convention (#SPNCHI), and we’d love to see you there! Per tradition, we’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered once again with a local nonprofit and will be collecting donations on its behalf. And as this month’s #GetKind theme is “Animals”, we’ve decided to join forces once again with the Heartland Animal Shelter.

What Is The Heartland Animal Shelter?

The Heartland Animal Shelter of the greater Chicago area is a no-kill, humane 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to finding homeless pets forever homes while educating the public on the importance of spaying and neutering its pets in order to help with the pet overpopulation problem.

Founded by Dr. Herbert Preiser in 2002index--element35, the shelter works to actively encourage adoption and offers its whiskered and tail-wagging tenants as much love, medical attention, and behavioral assistance as they might need. Currently, the shelter acts as a home for dozens of cats and dogs of all ages who are waiting for their turn to find a forever family.

How Can I Help?

Over the convention weekend, Random Acts staffers Jennifer, Julie, and Melanie will be present in the vendors room, collecting the following items for the Heartland Animal Shelter as requested by its staff:

Cat Items

  • Science Diet Cat Adult Optimal Care Original Dry
  • Science Diet Kitten Health Development Original Dry
  • Canned Kitten Food (please no seafood; our cats prefer paté )
  • Revolution Flea medicine for kittens
  • Frontline, Capstar, and Revolution for fleas & ticks (all sizes)

Dog Items

  • Science Diet Canine Adult Advanced Fitness Original Dry
  • Canned Dog Food
  • Extra Small Martingale collars
  • Frontline, Capstar, and Revolution for fleas & ticks (all sizes)
  • Nylabones (Medium – Large)

General Supply Items

  • Anti-bacterial hand soap
  • Wild bird seed
  • High efficiency laundry detergent
  • Paper towels
  • Gift cards to PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supply Plus, Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, OfficeMax, Lowes, The Container Store, or Menards

Monetary donations are always appreciated as well, if you’re unable to pack items in your suitcase (there is also a Walgreens and a Target located within a few minutes driving distance from the convention hotel, if you decide to grab some supplies over the weekend and have a car). A full, detailed wishlist can also be found on the shelter’s website in case you have some spare supplies at home that aren’t on this list and need to double check that they can be used. If you’re driving and have a larger load of donations to drop off, please feel free to pull your car into the circle drive at the front of the hotel and stop at the very end, near the convention doors. We’ll help you carry it in!

I Cannot Bring A Donation!

cat-amokWe know it can be difficult to fit everything in your bags, especially if you’re flying in or taking a train and have limited space. In order to ensure everyone has a chance to get involved, we’ll also be running a few fun activities throughout the convention weekend, so make sure to stop by to make a friendship bracelet for someone, or construct kitty sachets and doggy pull toys for the pets at the Heartland Animal Shelter. (And if you have old tee-shirts you’d like to bring along to make the doggy pull toys, feel free!)

We’ll be giving away random swag items to a handful of lucky supporters too, so keep an eye our for us!

I am Not Going 🙁

You can still join in on the kindness parade! There are a myriad of ways to help out animals across the globe over #SPNCHI weekend. Check out our latest #GetKind post to read up on some ideas and get planning! If you’re looking to help the Heartland Animal Shelter, you can also donate to the center online here.

We can’t wait to see you there (or on social media)! Are you ready to help us #GetKind?


Do not forget to tag all your social media posts throughout the weekend with the hashtags #GetKind and #SPNCHI! We will repost our very favorites to the official Random Acts social media channels. Make sure to follow us on Twitter (@RAFundraiser and @RASocialMedia) to get updates on giveaways as well!