By Gina Greco
Kelsey Simpson, a 2014 graduate of the Town of Webb, has been busy the past few weeks designing and producing handmade pet beds to raise money for local shelters, animal rescues and other programs in the Utica area.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds get donated to local shelters and rescues,” she said.
Kelsey began volunteering as a high school student, giving her time to Herkimer County Humane Society.
“I found an organization that would give me scholarships for volunteering; but I soon forgot about the scholarships and became extremely passionate for volunteering,” Kelsey said.
She said the website ‘DoSomething.org’ was a big influence.
There, she discovered the “Teens for Jeans” program. She collected over two hundred pairs of jeans in a few months.
Her very own company, “The Compassionate Community,” started up in January of 2015.
Based out of Utica, she collects a variety of donations for a number of area organizations.
Kelsey is also busy studying for her Psychology degree online at the University of Phoenix.
“I will also be traveling to Thailand in June of 2015 to volunteer with elephants, tigers, dogs, cats, and children,” she said.
She said she decided to focus on pet supplies, since a lot of donors indicate a particular interest in animals.
“I came up with the idea of making pet beds when I was talking to Theresa Zammiello, a Utica native who now lives in Tennessee. She is with the company ‘Home From The Heart.’ She used to make and sell dog toys,” she said.
Kelsey started out making dog toys from old cut up t-shirts. She soon received a box of donated fabric.
“I started out making a few little ‘no sew’ beds and stuffed them with leftover t-shirt scraps. I offered to sell them for very cheap on facebook garage sale groups,” she said.
She then asked for donations of stuffing on the social networks to make ‘real’ dog beds.
“The first few days of me advertising the beds online, I had a ton of orders,” she said.
“I personally sew all the pet beds by hand and have had no former experience in sewing at all. I am getting better with every bed!”
Kelsey makes beds of all sizes and generally uses flannel or fleece fabric.
“I have made tiny beds all the way up to beds for great danes,” she said.
There is a general price range she follows.
Small beds typically run from $8 to $12; medium from $13 to $18’ large from $19 to $24; and extra larges vary greatly.
“Depending on how many orders I have and the size of the bed, it usually takes me between one to six days for the product to be finished,” she said.
Kelsey will also ship orders.
A variety of other products are also available on her website.
The products are all natural and homemade by Theresa Zammiello.
“She gives me a large portion of the profits that we make for my organization,” she said.
One of the products she makes is an all natural, non-toxic doggie lotion bar to soothe your dogs dry, chapped skin.
“My bulldog loves it,” said Kelsey.
Another individual that provides products to Kelsey’s company is Shelly Fazekas-Privett of Forestport. Her company is Guinea Acres.
Kelsey said she is also in the process of working with someone to sell all natural, homemade dog treats.
Customers have have several payment option, including Paypal.
For more information on her organization, donating to her cause, ordering a pet bed, or any other products, people can visit her Facebook page: ‘The Compassionate Community’ or her website at http://compassion-community.wix.com/compassion-community. They can also call 315-941-7356 or email: thecompassionatecommunity@gmail.com.