In Just Two Weeks, Animal-Lovers will Light Up the World on Remember Me Thursday®…
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (September 15, 2023) – In just two weeks, on Thursday, September 28, animal-lovers across the world will unite their voices for orphan animals by honoring Remember Me Thursday® (RMT). Social media postings using the hashtags #RememberMeThursday and #ShineALight, as well as candle lighting ceremonies, proclamations, and even flag raisings, will remind the world that orphan animals need our help raising awareness of their plight. The campaign, launched just eleven years ago by Helen Woodward Animal Center, has touched over 190 countries and has made over 2 billion social media impressions. For San Diegans, this special day returns to Balboa Park with a Multi-Shelter Meet-and-Greet Event and Candle-Lighting Ceremony. Whether participating in-person or on-line, every individual can be a part of it!
- ON-LINE
Join 2023 RMT SpokesTeam Andie MacDowell and Rainey Qualley + Nearly 100 Influential Luminaries On-Line:
Each year, notable personalities, professional athletes, pet behaviorists and social media pet stars sign on as “luminaries,” committing to share their thoughts on pet adoption in videos and via their social media accounts throughout the campaign.
In August, the 2023 Remember Me Thursday® Official SpokesTeam was announced. Andie MacDowell (renowned actress, Loreal spokesperson, and avid animal lover) along with her daughter Rainey Qualley (actress, music artist, and passionate animal activist) take this year’s lead as spokespeople for the annual event and will share their adoption messages via social media.
MacDowell and Qualley lead an impressive list of celebrity supporters also aligning themselves with RMT. Nearly 100 influential luminaries have joined the cause. Past and present supporters include:
(2023 SpokesTeam Rainey Qualley and Andie MacDowell personal vlogs shared… Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.)
Notable Film, TV and Stage Personalities: Andie MacDowell (2023 Official Spokesperson), Ashley Bell, Bellamy Young, Bethenny Frankel (2019 Official Spokesperson), Beth Stern, Bo Derek, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Brittany Aldean (2021 Official Spokesperson), Carrie Ann Inaba (2015 Official Spokesperson), Christian Siriano, David Tutera, Daymond John, Debbie Gibson, Diane Keaton, Elaine Hendrix, Eric Roberts, George Lopez, Jamie Little, Jasmine Tookes (2022 Official Spokesperson), Javicia Leslie, Jennie Garth (2020 Official Spokesperson), Katherine Heigl (2014 Official Spokesperson), Kathy Najimy, Kevin Frazier, Kristin Bauer, Kristin Chenoweth (2017 Official Spokesperson), Linda Blair, Lou Wegner, Mark Steines, Melissa Peterman, Pauley Perrette (2016 Official Spokesperson), Rainey Qualley (2023 Official Spokesperson), Rick Springfield, Ross Mathews, Sandra Lee, Wil Wheaton, and Wynonna Judd (2018 Official Spokesperson).
Cartoonists: Greg Evans (creator of LUANN), and Patrick McDonnell (creator of MUTTS).
Professional Athletes: Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings), Bryan Bickell (Chicago Blackhawks), David Backes (Anaheim Ducks), Evan Longoria (San Francisco Giants), Jake Muzzin (Los Angeles Kings), Jeff Carter (Los Angeles Kings), Joey Logano (NASCAR), Kevin Kiermaier (Tampa Bay Rays), Liam Hendriks (Oakland A’s), Logan Ryan (Tennessee Titans), Marc Rzepczynski (World Series Champion), Mark Buehrle (World Series Champion), Rodney Peete, and Ryan Newman (NASCAR).
Animal Specialty Celebrities: Dr. Marty Becker, Gabriel Feitosa, Hannah Shaw, Jack Hanna, Jill Rappaport, Larissa Wohl, Megan Rose, Tamar Geller, Victoria Stilwell, and Wendy Diamond.
Animal Celebrities: Alien Cat Matilda, Baloo, Bamboo, Belarus the Cat, Best Boy Brodie, Boogie Shoes, Chewie, Chi Chi, Chloe, Choupette Lagerfeld, Cole and Marmalade, Cooper, Fugee, Josh, Justin Fire Survivor, Kitten Faces, Lil BUB, Louie, Memphis, Mimo and Kirry, Molly Happiness, Monty Boy, Mork, Mr. Bigglesworth, My Cat Kyle, My Dear Puddin, Nala Cat, Norbert, Paddington, Piglet, Purrminators, Sauerkraut Kitty, Smush, Spencer, Stevie, Sunglass Cat, Tango, Tuna, Venus, White Coffee Cat, and Worried Cat.
On Thursday, September 28th, to participate in the 2023 Remember Me Thursday® campaign on-line, individuals are encouraged to get the entire world talking about pet adoption by tagging, posting and sharing the beauty and life-saving significance of pet adoption using the hashtag #RememberMeThursday, #ShineALight and @hwac.
Animal-lovers can also win life-saving funds, toys and food for adoptable pets looking for forever families at their favorite non-profit, pet adoption organization. To enter the Remember Me Thursday Social Media Contest, simply upload your rescue pet’s photo and story for a chance to win!* (*Restrictions apply. Final selection remains at the sole discretion of Helen Woodward Animal Center).
1st place – $5,000 monetary prize for an animal rescue of your choice, 1,000 pounds of Blue Buffalo pet food, and 100 pet toys (Sponsored by Fetch Pet Insurance)
2nd place – $2,500 monetary prize for an animal rescue of your choice, 1,000 pounds of Blue Buffalo pet food, and 100 pet toys (Sponsored by Naturally Fresh Cat Litter)
3rd place – $1,000 monetary prize for an animal rescue of your choice, 1,000 pounds of Blue Buffalo pet food, and 100 pet toys (Sponsored by Blue Buffalo)
*Food prizes are sponsored by Blue Buffalo
(Remember Me Thursday® Pet Hero Plato honored and 2022 Remember Me Thursday® Candle Lighting at Helen Woodward Animal Center)
- IN-PERSON
Join Helen Woodward Animal Center and Other Local Shelters at the 2023 Remember Me Thursday® Meet-and-Greet Event and Candle-Lighting Ceremony in Balboa Park: Be there in-person as Helen Woodward Animal Center and other local animal-focused welfare groups and clubs, along with staff, volunteers, and friends shine a light on orphan pets on this global pet adoption awareness day.
September 28 – Balboa Park – 5:00 – 7:00PM.
(6th Avenue, between El Prado & Juniper; near Nate’s Point Dog Park)
This FREE dog-friendly event features:
- A Meet-and-Greet Event with San Diego Based Shelter and Rescue Groups
- Three (3) $500 Grant Giveaways to Three (3) Attending Rescue Groups – gifted by RMT Campaign Sponsor Trusted Housesitters
- Music
- Kid’s coloring and crafts to commemorate the day
- Pet-focused vendors
- Giveaways from Blue Buffalo and Naturally Fresh Cat Litter
- A Display of Decorated Luminary Bags (as a visual display of the mission to light up the world for orphan pets)
- An opportunity to write a special message on the 2023 Remember Me Thursday® Banner
- A special candle lighting ceremony at dusk including
-
- An uplifting presentation from Helen Woodward Animal Center President & CEO, Mike Arms.
- Remember Me Thursday® proclamation from local government officials.
- A reading of the Remember Me Thursday® poem penned by Arms
- An award presentation of the 2023 RMT Pet Hero Award, Plato, responsible for finding over 60 lost pets throughout his lifetime. (Plato’s pet parent, Michael Fradin, will be in attendance and available for interviews.)
- A viewing of personal recorded messages from our 2023 Official SpokesTeam
- A viewing of the official Remember Me Thursday® Video
The media and the public are invited to join Helen Woodward Animal Center on Remember Me Thursday®, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. PST to #ShineALight on pet adoption.
For more information on Remember Me Thursday® and a full list of participating celebrities and animal welfare organizations, go to www.remembermethursday.org.
*********
