New Pet And First Responder Calendar Benefits MCS, ARL

Chatham photographer and MSPCA Guardian Angel Award winner Kim Roderiques has found another way to help her community and her four-legged friends while shining a light of appreciation on local first responders.

Calendar 2024 features images of members of Chatham’s Police and Fire Departments cozying up with some photogenic pets who were fortunate to find their forever homes courtesy of adoption through the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Brewster adoption center.

“I wanted to create a fun calendar that would benefit Monomoy Community Services (MCS) and the Animal Rescue League (ARL), specifically the Brewster branch,” Roderiques said. “Who is most integral to any community but our first responders? The Police and Fire Departments of Chatham are where I began researching the idea.”

Roderiques admitted she felt a little trepidation at first about photographing first responders with alums from the local shelter. In the end she decided to just go for it.

“I called Chief of Police Mike Anderson and told him I wanted to do a calendar to support these two amazing non-profit organizations,” Roderiques said. “His first words were, ‘How can I help?’”

With the first responder portion of the equation willing and able, Roderiques next began the search for suitable pet models, as well as one other very important element, without which the project couldn’t happen.

“The other major detail was to find someone who would underwrite this project,” Roderiques said. “One of the most giving individuals is Tony Guthrie, and his business partner Sharon Mabile (both of Robert Paul Properties). They couldn’t have been more positive about this project and agreed wholeheartedly to finance this so that all the proceeds could be given directly to MCS and the ARL. Theresa Malone, executive director of MCS, thought this would be wonderful and gave me the go-ahead.”

Roderiques then began the enjoyable task of finding pets who landed adoptive homes through the ARL in Brewster. Chatham Fire Chief Justin Tavano and Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Clarke were more than happy to assist with the pairing of firefighters with furry friends.

“I photographed a rabbit, cats and all kinds of dogs who had now found their forever homes with representatives from the Police and Fire Departments,” Roderiques said. “One occasion was particularly funny when Chatham Deputy Chief of Police Louis Malzone said, ‘Do you have a big dog for me like a Doberman or something?’ I replied, ‘Not exactly. His name is Mr. Whiskers!’ ‘What is Mr. Whiskers?” asked Deputy Chief Malone. I said, ‘It’s a rabbit!’”

Roderiques said Deputy Chief Malone was a good sport when she asked him to hold Mr. Whiskers in his patrol car. With a smile he told Roderiques how his sister had a rabbit growing up; he was more than comfortable holding this beautiful long haired rabbit, even if there wasn’t enough masking tape in the world to de-shed his uniform afterwards.

The result is a great example of community effort featuring Chatham’s finest. Calendar 2024, with its cheery red cover just perfect for the holidays, is now available at a cost of $20 each, with every cent going to MCS and ARL. Calendars may be purchased at Yellow Umbrella Books, The Trading Company and Robert Paul Properties.