It’s time for the HSMC’s 2026 Brix Challenge; the easiest way to see your support of the HSMC make a positive difference to animals in need in McDonough county. This challenge is the easiest way to be a part of saving lives and helping animals and takes place now through Oct. 31. Again this year, Chris Brix (with help from his sidekick PeeWee), is challenging fellow animal lovers to raise as much money as possible to support the HSMC’s many initiatives to help animals. All funds raised during the Brix Challenge will be used for ongoing services to animals and pet owners, supporting and assisting animals at the McDonough County Animal Shelter and fulfilling the dream of building a new (and long overdue) animal shelter in McDonough county. Over the past 12 years the Brix Challenge has been met with amazing enthusiasm and generosity. We have our generous community and the support of friends near and far to thank for that. With our annual budget requiring approximately $50,000 and the substantial additional cost of building a new animal shelter (plus costs and needs rising all the time) friends such as you are more important than ever. The HSMC is a 100% volunteer organization supported entirely by memberships, donations and gifts. We simply could not accomplish all that is done without the collective strength of many. Judging from the tremendous results of the past we feel sure Chris’s challenge will be met with great success again. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL TO HELP! Every donation, no matter its size, makes a positive difference! You can help even further by sharing the details of the Brix Challenge with family, friends and on your social media. Together we can do so much.
To be a part of the “Brix Challenge 2026” please send your tax-deductible donations to: The Brix Challenge, Humane Society of McDonough County, PO Box 7, Macomb, IL 61455. You may also use the QR code or following link https://hsmcil.networkforgood.com/ projects/301932-2026-brix-challenge. The more funds raised the more we can do to continue and expand our hard work helping animals in need. That includes: 1. Ongoing direct support to the McDonough County Animal Shelter by assisting with the care and socialization of the animals there while they await forever homes; promoting adoptions; subsidizing spay/neuter expenses and cat vaccines; covering the cost of specialized medical needs (e.g. parvo and heart worm treatment; needed surgery and purchasing needed items.
2. Assistance to the community via financial support of spay/neuter initiatives for community cats and the Fix a Bully program; assistance to financially struggling pet owners via the Pet Food Pantry and the emergency Angel Fund.
3. Building a new animal shelter, which will be located on West Jackson just outside of Macomb. The property has been purchased and plans are well underway for the renovation of the existing buildings. This will be accomplished in phases dependent on funds available in the new shelter building account.
While much of our work supports the county-run shelter the HSMSC is a separate entity from the McDonough County Animal Shelter (MCAS). If you aren’t already a HSMC member please consider becoming one (visit www. hsmcil.org for more information). There are a wide variety of rewarding opportunities available should you choose to become a “hands on” member, directly involved in our many initiatives to help animals. “Armchair” members are likewise important. We can’t accomplish our work without members, no matter the level of involvement. Membership dues are very affordable and financially support the essential funds needed to continue our important work day to day. As a member you will be a proud part of the amazing accomplishments you will read about in our newsletters, “Waggin’ Tales”, as well.
By becoming a part of the Brix Challenge 2026 you will guarantee the continuation of our important programs and projects, knowing that your generosity will directly touch the lives of animals who need it now and in the future.
Thank you so much for that! Let’s make this year’s Brix Challenge the most successful yet!
