Woman's Wall Of $1 Bills To Buy Pools For Shelter Dogs Grows

LONG ISLAND, NY — A woman dedicated to helping shelter dogs is seeing her vision of providing wading pools for the pups to cool off in this summer unfold — one dollar bill at a time.

Last week, Valerie Sanks of Rocky Point, a volunteer for the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, announced that she would be papering the walls with $1 bills to help raise funds to buy pools for the homeless pets during the "dog days of summer."

The donations have been pouring in: So far, Sanks has raised almost $900.

"I just want to send out a very special 'thank you' to everyone that sent donations," Sanks said. "It’s so very special to read your letters and notes as well as see the dollar bills of love. As I tape them together it shows just what happens when we all work together — amazing things happen."

Donations and letters have come in from as far away as Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, as well as New Jersey and New York, Sanks said.

The owners of former shelter dogs have sent in donations, too, she said.

"Shelter dogs here on Long Island are going to enjoy this summer with kiddie pools," Sanks said. "And to think, it's only been a week!"

Sanks made headlines recently when she asked for donations to build a wall of peanut butter for shelter dogs to enjoy — and then, collected treats for both dogs and cats for Valentine's Day.

Those who want to contribute are asked to send a single $1 bill to:

Blankets for Buster and his friends

P.O. Box 335

Rocky Point, NY 11778

Or Venmo: @Valerie-Sanks-1.

"Let's see what happens when we all work together," she said.

Pools will be delivered the week before the first day of summer, Sanks said.

For years, Sanks has devoted her life to giving back to homeless dogs. She's hosted sleepovers for the dogs to shower them with affection, planned birthday parties and car rides, helped a dying dog realize her bucket list of dreams, and organized blanket drives.

Rosemarie DeMaio reached out to Patch to describe Sanks' dedication to homeless dogs. "During the holidays she has a blanket drive and has collected thousands of blankets for homeless animals; she literally drives all over New York to deliver them," she said. "She is just an amazing person."