Sam O Rama 08

Sam O Rama is the largest gathering of Samoyed owners in the Illinois area. Adopters have come from as far away as Massachusetts, Kentucky, Kansas, Montana, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Australia, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Pennsylvania and North Carolina to participate in NISA's celebration of second chances.

All Samoyed owners are welcome whether they bought their Samoyed from a breeder or pet store, adopted from another rescue group or shelter or found their Samoyed in the classified ads. Canine attendance, however is limited to Samoyeds and their housemates, which can be other breeds.

This year marks the 12th celebration since the first "Rescue Reunion" held in 1996. The picnic was a means by which volunteers could celebrate the completion of it's Incorporation in November of 1995 but even more importantly, it was a means to recognize the adoption of homeless Samoyeds and emphasize the importance of NISA.

The pictures to the right date back to the very first gathering, in 1996, when all NISA had to work with was one borrowed gazebo, a handful of volunteers and a whole lot of ambition. It was a roaring success!

With the passing of time, what began as a Rescue Reunion evolved into Sam O Rama to encourage all Samoyed owners to participate. Some of the earlier features such as games and contests have been eliminated and a few new ideas were added. The volunteer base has grown, the menu has changed a bit, the attendance goes up and down but one thing that never changes is the parade of Champions and Alumni Champions.

It's very emotional to see 60 to 70 Samoyeds all in one place! It's even more emotional when you consider most of them might not even be alive were it not for NISA and generous supporters like you. Imagine a field filled with gorgeous, pristine white "Second Chances", who now prance like the kings and queens they were meant to be!

NISA volunteers truly enjoy meeting the adopters and new comers who attend Sam O Rama. For many it's the first time they actually get to meet any of the diamonds and seeing the fruits of your labor is the best reward anyone can receive.

The food buffet isn't bad either!! Since Beverly Barborek-Galbraith and Kim Adams stepped up to volunteer, a whole bunch of "new" items were added and each year there's always something different. The only standard menu items are the corn-on-the-cob and hot dogs. The biggest hit of all has to be Diane Knowlton's sheet cake. Oh so beautiful and delicious, how can you beat that!?!

Friendships have formed among adopters from the East coast to the West coast and all parts in between! Summer trips to visit each other is now common place for dozens of NISA supporters. Best of all Sam O Rama provides a yearly opportunity to meet at a central location and have a great time.

Yes, Sam O Rama creates memories that will last a life time.

Seeing, first hand, the joy in the face of a new adopter, the adoring stare of a Sammie for it's new family, or the pride of an adopter for his/her new Fur-friend is indescribable. This is what you'll carry in your heart forever.

In 2002 Lynn Donald came up with a wonderful idea - AND, she offered to head up the entire project. NISA's Memory Quilt, as shown here, consists of 12x12 squares of material which are sewn together. You, the adopter, would decorate "YOUR" square in honor or memory of your Sammie to be added to the others. We can't keep it going without squares provided from NISA adopters so the project has stalled. I hope we can pick it up again, I can't imagine a better tribute for our best Fur-friends than a memory quilt.

In 2003, we almost had another family reunion. Little Ruby (center) is Mom to Tiara, Ally, and Topaz. Tiara is the pup who needed extensive surgery on her hips and knees in order to walk. Unfortunately Topaz's family doesn't attend NISA events so he missed out on seeing his mom. Oh, they get so excited to see each other again.

And, in the next picture you'll see NISA's traditional raffle basket table. Bev Stewart brain-stormed this great feature and people just love it. Basket after basket of assorted treasures, all for the taking...if you have the winning ticket!

The NISA signs (4) were donated by Alan Zielinski to identify event locations and functions. We make a point of collecting them early before they disappear. Can you blame us for guarding them?

The fur covered angel with a fearful look in her eyes is Starr. She's receiving her "I'm Adopted" scarf and her Mom's a nervous wreck somewhere nearby. Starr and her brother Radar are puppy mill releases, from August of 2003, who were never socialized. Starr is literally frozen in place with so many people around.

By far the best year was 2005, NISA's 10 year anniversary. Lots of friends from distant places and Sammies everywhere! As I came around the bend and saw all the gazebos, a huge center tent, and a sea of gorgeous white Sammies I was truly over-whelmed with emotion. The sudden reality of how many lives [human and Samoyed] our efforts had touched and how much NISA meant to so many people was quite an eye opener. To say I was pretty much worthless the rest of the day is an understatement. As I said earlier, "you'll take home a bounty of memories."

NISA members presented Officer Joe Broderick's K9 partner, Smokey, with a protective vest and Fr. Straub offered a special blessing to keep them both safe. (Poor Smokey looked a wee bit apprehensive being surrounded by white dogs.)

Little by little we've been able to take advantage of seasonal sales or close out prices to acquire our own equipment and supplies to eliminate the "mad-scramble" to find "things" we could borrow from volunteers and supporters. Today NISA owns 15 EZ-up gazebos, a half a dozen tables, roughly 8 large coolers, and a zillion storage tubs of product and "stuff" needed at events. All this is transported in a 6 x 12 cargo trailer NISA purchased a couple years ago to lighten the work load for volunteers. What used to be 5 or 6 loads in a pick up at the beginning and end of every picnic day was reduced to just one.

2008 Sam O Rama was a glorious day of celebration. Great food and good friends always makes for a good time for everyone!

Stop back soon, pictures will be added.

Click each picture for larger view

Registration & Rescue booth - 1996
(Attendance including volunteers - 98)