There are two areas that have always had a special place in my heart: individuals with special needs and animal rescue. Below are some sites of groups of which I am either a volunteer myself or Laura Stoecker Photography Ltd donates to. A brief description of each group is below the link, the words taken directly from their website. Take a moment when you can to find out about these wonderful groups.

The Animal Rescue Site
www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Just a click a day can get animals in need food and care.

Autism Society of Illinois
http://autismillinois.org

Petfinder
www.petfinder.com
“The temporary home of 269,456 adoptable pets from 12,363 adoption groups…12 million adoptions since 1995.”

Boxer Rebound, Inc.
www.boxerrebound.com

Northern Illinois Food Bank-St. Charles, IL
www.northernilfoodbank.org
“The Northern Illinois Food Bank is working to create a hunger-free northern Illinois.”

The Branson Project
www.thebransonproject.com
“Eating, sleeping, walking and talking. Sound easy? For twin boys, Luke and Zach branson, 11 years, things we take for granted are not possible for them. Luke and Zach have severe cerebral palsy caused by a premature birth. The boys’ family are committed to help them reach their full potential by surrounding them with love and researching the latest treatments for CP. With prayer, and help from the community, the boys have accomplished milestones that would have taken longer or not happen at all. We call these “our little miracles.”

Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption
www.fieldofdreamshorserescueandadoption.org
“Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption is a non-profit volunteer organization located in Northern, Illinois. Our goal is to assist horses that are "in-between" homes to be healthy in mind, body, and spirit. We will work with local community agencies to facilitate the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of abused, abandoned, or relinquished horses. We strive to find responsible and loving homes in which they can heal, learn, and spend the rest of their lives. We will accept abused and neglected animals from animal control facilities, as well as animals retiring from lesson programs, police force, or the racetrack. We will also accept healthy animals donated by loving owners who for reasons beyond their control can no longer provide care. We will offer educational programs to help the public see the incredible gifts of beauty, kindness, and unconditional love these horses have to offer.”

Illinois Animal Rescue
www.illinoisanimalrescue.org
Illinois Animal Rescue, Inc. is 501(c)(3), not for profit and no-kill!
“We are a group of individuals, groups, volunteers, workers, veterinarians, independent rescuers, humane investigators, transporters, a coalition of humane societies, shelters, humane organizations, shelters, not-for profit organizations, pounds, well... Just regular people, scattered throughout the state of Illinois and beyond. We strive for the rescue and humane care and treatment of the animals in our community, state and throughout our country. Together we have saved over 6,000 precious lives in 2007!”

Association for Individual Development
http://www.the-association.org/about.php
“AID is a nonprofit, community-based organization that serves 3,800 individuals throughout Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, DuPage, suburban Cook, and Will Counties. Over 20 programs are available for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities, and those in need of behavioral health services or crisis intervention.”

Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus
www.ildoberescue.com
“Illinois Doberman Rescue operates as a not-for-profit organization based in Northern Illinois. The goal of Doberman Rescue is to rescue Dobermans in need, to place them into responsible homes, and to educate the public about the Doberman breed. Our Rescue Dobermans come from animal control organizations, humane societies, and owner give-up situations within Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana.”

Unlocking Autism
www.unlockingautism.org
“Unlocking Autism was founded in February of 1999 by two mothers and a grandmother who came together for one primary purpose – to obtain information about how to help children with autism and to get that information as quickly as possible to the parents of newly diagnosed children.”

Turning Point
www.mchenrycountyturningpoint.org
Turning Point is a domestic violence agency with a mission to confront violence against women and children in McHenry County, Illinois.
-24 Hour Crisis Line-McHenry County 1-800-892-8900