Shirley's Run and Dog Walk

Shirley's Run

Shirley's Run is a 5k Run and Dog Walk fundraiser for the Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals, a non-profit organization established by Shirley's son Ross. The run has not been held since 2016 but the Fund continues to support animal rescue organizations in Montgomery County, PA

Sad News About Happy Girl

Sad news. Yesterday (6/26/2023), Happy Girl who turned 18 in March (2023), crossed the "Rainbow Bridge." Her dementia got really bad. She went peacefully.,

I will miss her. She was a great companion. I thank Mom for guilting me into taking her in after the Katrina Hurricane.

My Million Dollar Mom

Ross Schriftman is author of My Million Dollar Mom, an uplifting true story of a lifetime of sacrifice and caring between him and his mother Shirley and her struggle with Alzheimer's. Ross organizes the yearly Shirley's Run, a 5K race raising funds for the Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals. Ross is now working on a movie production of My Million Dollar Mom. Learn more at www.mymilliondollarmom.com.

5k Run Course Description

The Shirley’s Run 5K is an out and back course on gradual rolling hills and flats traveling on neighborhood roads in Maple Glen. Starting at the Maple Manor Swim Club on Dillon Road and going out to Howe Lane at Welsh Road and returning this is a great course for top runners to have a challenging but fast opportunity to achieve a personal best as well as for first timers to experience a 5K run.

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2016 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results

Photos from our 2016 Race!

Video from our 2013 Race!

View of some of the race from Rob Leiser's wheelchair cam. A few shots appear to be in reverse because they are. On hills above 5% Rob will turn around and go up backwards by pulling on the spokes.

Shirley's Dog Happy Girl appears at the very end!

Photos from our 2013 Race!

photos by Carolyn Phillips - more photos and info on how to purchase a print coming soon

The Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals

"I was so pleased that our Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals, a donor advised fund at the Montgomery County Foundation, was able to help low-income people pay for their pet's medical expenses with a grant. Participating charities are Laurel House, Carson Valley Children's Aid and VNA Community Inc. SOAR Program. Thank you to Kayleigh Silver from Your Way Home for coordinating this effort and Virginia Frantz, President & CEO of the Foundation as well as everyone who has supported Shirley's Run over the years.""

Discussing the Animals with Ross, Kayleigh and Virginia 2-21-2020.

Check Presentation Ross, Kayleigh, Virginia 2,2,2020.

Ross Schriftman of Maple Glen presented checks to the Montgomery County SPCA, Bucks County SPCA and Spay and Save from the Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals; a donor advised fund held by the Montgomery County Foundation at the February meeting of the Maple Glen Community Association at the organizations monthly lunch meeting at Brandywine Dresher Estates.

Check presentation to Bucks County SPCA: Left to Right, Melissa Frank, Shelter Manager, Alison Levine, Director of Communications, Ross Schriftman, Virginia Frantz.

Check presentation to Montgomery County SPCA: Left to Right, Rhonda Thomas, Shelter Manager and Humane Society Policy Officer, Ross Schriftman, Virginia Frantz, CEO of the Montgomery County Foundation.

Check presentation to Spay and Save: Left to Right, Toni Dougherty, Jo-Ann Morgan, Ross Schriftman, Virginia Frantz

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2012

Check presentation to Montgomery County 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Club (Ross Schriftman, Marilyn Boone, Virginia Frantz)

Check presentation to the Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals (Ross Schriftman, Clare Sautter, Virginia Frantz)

This is the presentation of checks from the Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals by Ross (race director) and Virginia Frantz, Exec Director of the Montgomery County Foundation to the directors of Main Line Rescue and Spay and Save

presentation to the director of Francisvalle Home for Small Animals with "Puddin" the dog thanking Ross (race director) with a kiss.

The Shirley Schriftman Fund for Animals is a donor advised fund with the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. This fund will continue Shirley’s legacy as a person with a deep concern for the welfare of animals. The fund will be making donations to local organizations that either rescue animals or train them to do service in our community.

(A copy of the official registration and financial information for the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. may be obtained by calling the PA Department of State at 1-800-732-0900 (toll free in PA). Registration does not imply endorsement.

Recent Donations

2024 Donations

Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals

"On behalf of Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals, we'd like to thank The Shirley Shriftman Fund for Animals DAF, administered by The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. for generously supporting our organization and our mission.  Your gift ensures that the very special cats and dogs in our care will continue to receive the highest-level care while they wait to be adopted into their forever homes.  At Francisvale, we add a personal touch to the day-to-day care for our pets that both enriches their lives and allows them to showcase their best selves to prospective adopters.  Pets like Gage, a five-year-old mixed breed, can live care-free, while we focus on finding him a home.  In addition, a kennel space is open at the municipal shelter from where he came so that another pet in need can be rescued.  We are so grateful for your contribution to that effort!"

Milo, shown above, came from ACCT Philly in Sep. 2023.  He is a lively and friendly boy, but could be overwhelmed by the fast paced environment of a busy shelter like ACCT.  Milo thrived in our care at Francisvale and was adopted on January 23, 2024.

The staff at Francisvale always find creative ways to enrich the lives of the pets in our care and promote them for adoption.  This camping set-up was a hit on social media.  Turner was one cat who enjoyed the photo shoot.

The staff and volunteers at Francisvale are devoted to each animal and form personal bonds with them, helping them feel at home which helps prepare them for adoption.  Chance is a loveable boy who enjoys cuddling up next to any visitor.

Paws & Affection

Paws and Affection is a nonprofit 501c3 with the mission to train service, facility, and companion dogs for young people who have a range of disabilities in the greater Philadelphia area and to educate the public about service dogs and their role in the community. Our goal is to empower these children with independence and confidenceby matching them with amazing dogs.

2 New Trainees

To the members of the Shirley Shriftman Fund for Animals DAF, administered by the Montgomery County Foundation that awarded Paws and Affection this grant, thank you.

Laura O'Kane and the Paws and Affection team of staff and volunteers

Olive and Noa

Olive was placed as a Service Dog in April 2023 with a young lady named Noa who has Cerebral Palsy and Selective Mutism. Olive helps Noa with mobility and balance when walking and on stairs. In addition, Olive’s presence empowers Noa to direct her words towards her trusted friend, enabling her to share her valuable thoughts and feelings with those around her.

2022 Donations

The Shirley Schriftman Donor Advised Fund distributed to animal welfare charitable organizations. The following 501(c)(3) non-profits received donations from the Shirley Schriftman Animal Fund in 2022.

This was the process we used: Grantees filled out grant applications, we reviewed them, grant agreements were signed and upon return of the agreements checks were issued.

Animal House Project - $500

Animal House Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization on a mission to keep companion pets at home and out of shelters by providing donated pet food and pet care products to families in need. They operate a warehouse of pet food and supplies for people who cannot afford the cost. This project helps people to keep their pets instead of surrendering them to a shelter. It is all volunteer run.

Harmony Retreat and Animal Rescue, Inc- $500

Their mission is to cultivate a harmonious and nurturing sanctuary for animals while enhancing people's lives through educational interactiond with animals, nature and one another. They have sheltered dogs, cats, bunnies, chickens, and turtles.

Harmony Retreat and Animal Rescue gives abandoned, unwanted or older pets and animals in need of shelter - dogs, cates and other animals - a permanent, loving home.

Dog Town Rescue Center

Dog Town Rescue is a rescue program where the dogs come from local shelters and beyond. Many of these shelters are places where dogs are often at high risk of euthanasia. The Center also finds families to adopt dogs in shelter.

Paws and Affection - $500

Paws and Affection is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of training and placing service, facility and companion dogs with young people who have a range of disabilities in the greater Philadelphia are and to educate the public about service dogs and their role in the community. Their goal is to empower these children with independence and confidence by matching them with amazing dogs.

Roxy Therapy Dogs - $500

2017 Donation To Francisville Home for Smaller Animals

Ross presenting a check to the Francisville Home for Smaller Animals; a rescue in King of Prussia. This was from proceeds from Shirley's Run. Left to Right: Virginia Frantz, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Foundation, Dorothy M. Claeys, Executive Director of Francisvalle and Ross. With Robin, the rescue dog.

Ross and Happy Girl interviewed on PHL17

See the interview here from August 11, 2016

Toby the Dog can't wait for Shirley's Run this August!

My Million Dollar Mom

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My Million Dollar Mom is an uplifting true story of a lifetime of sacrifice and caring between a mother, Shirley and her son Ross

We're making a movie of My Million Dollar Mom!

About Shirley Schriftman

Original artwork by April Zay of Hummingbird arts
www.hummingbird-arts.com

Shirley Schriftman was born in Springfield, MA in 1925. From an early age she had a great love of animals. Her favorite childhood book was Mr. Jolly’s Hotel for Dogs. She decided that when she grew up she would rescue animals. During her long life she had many dogs and several cats that were her companions.

Shirley lived on Dillon Road in Maple Glen, PA and died peacefully at her home on Saturday morning, October 10, 2009. She had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

During her 84 year life, Mrs. Schriftman had many achievements. She grew up in Brookline, MA. During World War II she was a Spanish translator for the State Department. She was a USO Hostess and visited wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She married Herbert Schriftman of Brooklyn, NY and they raised four sons; Roy, Ross, Lee and Barry whom she was very proud of. She also was a grandmother six times and a great grandmother four times.

During her working career she was Assistant to the Dean of College Affairs at Temple University, a foreign language aide at the North Campus of Abington High School and a documentation specialist for Univac Corporation. Her interest in language led her to teach Adult Education courses at Upper Dublin High School and English as a Second Language to immigrants to the United States. She was also active in International Training in Communications at Univac.

Mrs. Schriftman was politically active as well serving as a Democratic Committeewoman in Upper Dublin for many years. In 1975 she ran for District Justice and nearly got elected.

She became active in Parents Without Partners and organized the Bucks/Mont Chapter. She was active in her Synagogue and chaired efforts to get the release of Jews from the Soviet Union and helped them settle in the Philadelphia area.

,doc Mrs. Schriftman loved dancing, singing, flowers, children, her family and her animals. After the Katrina Hurricane, she adopted an abandoned dog and blind cat. She was a movie buff with a large collection which she spent cataloging in her later years.

Shirley Schriftman was also a big supporter of running attending many races that her sons Ross and Lee participated in over the years.

picture This image is of Mrs. Schriftman with her son Ross at the Ambler Area Runner’s Club Wine and Cheese at the Ambler Theatre in 2007. Even though she already had Alzheimer’s she still liked to attend the AARC Club events and socialize with the members.

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