One Cause Giving Voice to Another

by Volunteer Ian

When we started thinking about doing workshops as fundraisers for Help MAS Dogs, we wanted them to be more than just another way to help cover the dogs’ vet care.

Of course, raising funds is the main reason we do them. Veterinary care is one of our biggest and most constant expenses. There is always a dog who needs to be checked, treated, medicated, tested, or brought back to the vet. And when you are caring for pound dogs, those expenses don't really stop.

But we also thought: if we're going to gather people together for a cause, why not let another good cause benefit from that space too?

And that was how our first workshop became a Deaf Awareness and Basic Filipino Sign Language Workshop for a Cause.

It felt like the right way to start.

We could raise much-needed funds for the veterinary care of our dogs while giving people the chance to learn basic FSL and, hopefully, leave with a little more awareness and understanding of the Deaf community and Deaf culture.

In a small but meaningful way, it became one cause giving voice to another.

We honestly didn't know what kind of response to expect when we opened registration. So seeing the slots almost sold out within the first 24 hours was both surprising and encouraging. People weren't simply donating to the dogs. They were willing to spend an afternoon learning something new while doing it.

And what an afternoon it turned out to be.

A huge part of that was because of Deaf Coach CJ Patriarca-Occiano and Interpreter Leah Apuli, who made the workshop fun, interesting, and genuinely interactive. There was a lot of signing, trying, laughing, getting things wrong, trying again, and learning along the way—which was exactly what we hoped the workshop would feel like.

We also couldn't have done this without Enderun Coworking - Estancia, who generously accommodated us and supported what we were trying to do. Having a venue partner willing to make room for a small volunteer-led fundraiser like ours meant a lot, and we are incredibly grateful for the support they extended to Help MAS Dogs.

The workshop was also a little extra special for us because it became the official launch of our Help MAS Dogs merchandise.

We were able to feature not only our own merch, but also items donated by eCLAY Arts & Crafts, Kawaii Krafts, and Tee Talk, who generously shared their products with us to help raise more funds for the dogs. It was another reminder that there are so many ways to help. Sometimes it's through money. Sometimes it's through time. Sometimes it's a skill, a space, a product, or simply showing up.

Looking back at the workshop, I think that's what I love most about how everything came together.

It didn't feel like we had to choose between advocating for people or advocating for animals.

For a few hours, we were able to do both.

We talked about Deaf culture. We learned Filipino Sign Language. We introduced our merch. We raised funds. And all of it ultimately went back to helping us continue providing veterinary care for dogs who need it.

One cause gave voice to another, without taking anything away from either.

To everyone who signed up, attended, bought merchandise, supported the fundraiser, shared our posts, or helped us put the workshop together—thank you.

And again, our deepest thanks to Enderun Coworking - Estancia, Deaf Coach CJ Patriarca-Occiano, and Interpreter Leah Apuli for being part of our first workshop fundraiser.

This was our first one.

And after seeing a room full of people willing to learn something new just so we could continue helping our dogs, we're leaving it feeling very grateful—and already looking forward to what cause we can bring into the room with us next.