This winter, the Ross Medical Education Center Campus in Owensboro, Kentucky held their Third Annual 1000lb Challenge in their community. Each year, they partner together with the Owensboro Humane Society for the drive and delivery. It is an exciting event that both organizations look forward to every year.
The 1000lb Challenge is an event to raise various items of which the Humane Society is in desperate need. For one entire month, the campus collects items such as dog and cat food, cat litter, dog beds, old blankets, cleaning supplies, and pet toys and treats. On the very last day of the event, the Humane Society comes to the Ross Owensboro campus and also brings along dogs the public can adopt. 
The Director of the Owensboro Humane Society stated,” the Humane Society solely depends on grants and donations so we are truly grateful for 1000lb Challenge event.” Owensboro Campus Director LaTasha Shemwell shared similar sentiments, “this is the one event my staff and faculty look forward to hosting the most! The Owensboro Humane Society is so appreciative and humble for the amount of items we collect. This event truly warms my heart.”
In 2014, when they campus first hosted the event, they raised around 400lbs. They were very proud of the amount they had raised, especially considering it was the first year. Then in 2015, the Owensboro Humane Society was robbed and desperately needed to replenish their losses. The entire community was devastated by this occurrence and helped the Ross campus meet their goal of 1000lbs. This year the campus was able to collect and donate 800lbs of various items such as dog and cat food, cat litter, dog treats, old blankets, and cleaning supplies.
“The thing I love the most about hosting this drive is not only the student, faculty and staff involvement but the community,” said LaTasha Shemwell, Owensboro Campus Director. “We had numerous people from the community drop off items for the Humane Society that we had never seen before. Everyone that dropped off items were true animal lovers who wanted to make a difference and pleased we were hosting this event.”