Every Saturday afternoon, Alison Claus fills her Subaru hatchback with newspapers—stacks and stacks of them, from floor to ceiling. It’s a weekly ritual that began simply enough but has grown into something much more meaningful: a bridge between Sedgebrook and one of the area’s most beloved animal welfare organizations.
A 90-Year Legacy of Compassion
Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter in nearby Deerfield has been rescuing animals since its founding over 90 years ago in the city of Chicago. What started with two determined women rescuing dogs from Chicago’s streets has evolved into a thriving no-kill shelter that finds homes for more than 1,500 cats and dogs every year—over 150,000 animals in its nine-decade history.
The shelter operates entirely by donations with no government subsidies. It’s a testament to community dedication—and that dedication now includes Sedgebrook residents.
Fifteen Years of Service
Alison’s connection to Orphans of the Storm runs deep. She and her husband had always been devoted cat owners. When their last cat passed away after requiring extensive kidney care, they agreed to take a break from pet ownership. But after just six months, Alison felt the pull to stay connected to animals.
“I had to have an animal fix,” she recalls with a smile.
That was 13 to 15 years ago. Since then, Alison has been a fixture at the shelter, first as an off-site volunteer, then as a greeter welcoming prospective adopters every Saturday. She’s helped countless families navigate the adoption process, answering questions and matching people with their future companions.
Papers for Puppies: A Natural Connection
When Alison moved to Sedgebrook in April 2024, she brought her passion for community service with her. Within months, she became involved with the Sedgebrook Service Committee, a group of residents brainstorming ways to connect the community with local organizations.
One committee member, passionate about recycling, discovered that many local animal shelters needed newspapers for kennel bedding. It was the perfect match: Sedgebrook receives 170 newspapers delivered on Sundays alone, with 140 to 150 papers arriving during the week. Many residents were thrilled to find a sustainable purpose for their used papers that would have a local impact.
The committee set up a simple system: two carts in Sedgebrook’s recycling room where residents could drop off their newspapers. The response was immediate and overwhelming.
“The first week, that cart was almost full,” Alison remembers. “Within three weeks, we needed a second cart.”
“There’s a lot of people who believed that recycling was a good thing,” Alison explains. “And so when they heard how we were going to recycle newspapers, they got very excited.”
Now, every Saturday, Alison packs both carts’ worth of newspapers into her hatchback—filling the entire car—and drives them to Orphans of the Storm on Saturday afternoons, where shelter staff unload them for use in the dog kennels throughout the week.
Beyond Newspapers: A Community of Givers
The Papers for Puppies program is just one way the Sedgebrook Service Committee has mobilized residents to make a difference. In a single-day shoe drive, residents donated over 400 pairs of shoes—everything from unused dress heels to business shoes—which were sorted and distributed to WINGS (a women’s abuse shelter resale shop) and the Lake County Solid Waste Company’s programs for the homeless and international aid.
The committee is also planning a clothing drive for WINGS and a holiday food drive to support local food pantries. It’s all part of a larger philosophy that defines life at Sedgebrook.
A Place Where Contribution Matters
“Everybody wants to be a part of the community,” Alison reflects. “And part of the community is this feeling that we want to contribute.”
It’s this spirit of connection—to each other and to the wider world—that makes Sedgebrook more than just a place to live. Whether it’s volunteering at a shelter, organizing drives for those in need, or simply greeting neighbors with a smile in the hallway, residents find countless ways to stay engaged and give back.
As Alison puts it: “I think it’s a great place. You walk down the hall, people smile, and they say, ‘Hi, how are you today?’ The staff is very friendly and helpful. I can’t say enough about it.”
And on Saturdays, when Alison pulls up to Orphans of the Storm with a car full of newspapers, she’s not just dropping off recycling—she’s delivering proof that community connections, no matter how simple they seem, can make a real difference in the lives of animals and people alike.
—
To learn more about Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter and their adoption programs, visit their facility in Deerfield or explore their website. If you’re interested in learning more about life at Sedgebrook and the many ways residents stay active and engaged in the community, we’d love to hear from you.
