Long Island philanthropist and vocalist Dahna Bender believes that God gave her her beautiful voice in order to help others through acts of kindness and giving and in her world, those "others" include God's four-legged creatures. She was so touched so deeply by what the National Mill Dog Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Peyton, Colorado, does that she is donating 100% of the profits from her new Christmas CD, Giving of the Heart.
Dahna wants to raise awareness, as well as much-needed funds, about commercial breeding mills (commonly called "puppy mills") and the rescue outreach performed by National Mill Dog Rescue. NMDR was established in February 2007 after a lady named Theresa Strader went to a dog auction for a breeder who was shutting down in Missouri and saw first-hand the horrors of breeding mills. Her introduction came through an Italian Greyhound named Lily. Prior to that day, Lily had spent the first seven years of her life as a commercial breeding dog, a puppy mill mom. Up until that fateful day of rescue, Lily had spent all of her days confined to a small, cold wire cage in a dark and foul-smelling barn. She was never taken out of her cage for exercise or socialization. She had one purpose in life - to produce one litter of puppies after another with no breaks to heal or rest. Veterinary care was rarely if ever provided (common in that industry) and after years of no dental care, poor quality food, rabbit bottle watering and no chew toys, the roof of Lily’s mouth and lower jaw, had literally rotted away. Her chest was riddled with mammary tumors and she was absolutely terrified of people.
Strader brought Lily and twelve other dogs home from that auction and even though she had worked as an animal rescue advocate for years, she said that the following months were "the education of a lifetime" in rehabilitation. NMDR was born and since forming, has amassed over 1,300 volunteers and has rescued over 6,300 puppy mill survivors.
Dahna says, "The sole purpose of this project is for all of the profits from the sale of this CD to go to National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR) and to educate the public about the cruel realities of the Commercial Dog Breeding industry Puppy Mills NMDR rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes breeding dogs discarded from puppy mills. Their tireless voluntary efforts to help these innocent, abused dogs is led by its founder, Theresa Strader. I thank God for being blessed to be able to have the resources and support to accomplish this goal for the greater good. I have believed from its inception that a completely selfless Act Of Kindness can only be successful as its purpose is pure. Thank you to all who have purchased this CD to help NMDR continue their devotion to these animals."
Giving of the Heart Track List:
- Noel
- Jingle Bells
- Drummer Boy
- Silent Night
- What Child Is This? (featuring Karmine Alers)
- Sleigh Ride
- The Christmas Song
- Breath of Heaven
- Winter Wonderland
- O Holy Night
- Grown-up Christmas List
- Wintersong
With Airgo Music, Grammy-nominated producer/songwriter Jimmy Greco (Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears) and producer Russ DeSalvo, (Celine Dion and Lionel Richie) on board, Dahna's plush voice truly brings magic to the Christmas classics. Knowing that each song you hear her sing is going to help abused animals makes it even better. Give the gift of life this Christmas and get a copy of Giving of the Heart for yourself and one for a friend.
