A goat is ready to you on Zoom; no kidding fundraiser for Rutherford Housing Partnership

Jean Gordon


A goat is ready to you on Zoom; no kidding fundraiser for Rutherford Housing Partnership

Photo contributed.

Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP) is conducting a fundraising drive unlike any before.

In these days of Zoom meetings due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, RHP is proposing ways to make the meetings less boring and raise money for housing repairs at the same time.

Mel Ailiff, executive director of RHP says, "Are you tired of seeing the same faces (or black squares) at every zoom meeting? Are you unsure if your colleagues or employees are actually paying attention? Or, perhaps you are hosting an online zoom "party" and need a laugh."

The public has an opportunity to donate $20 to RHP and have a goat -- live goat -- join the Zoom call for five minutes.

Two of Ailiff's baby goats, Baxter and Mabel, will pop into the Zoom in an effort to spread some baby goat joy.

Call Rutherford Housing Partnership at 828-248-3431 or email goats@rutherfordhousingpartnership.com to set up a Zoom Goat session today. Interested people can also text Goatzoom to 44-321!

Among the latest to implement a goat into a Zoom meeting was Rutherford Town Revitalization. Town Manager Doug Barrick said, "Thanks Mel Ailiff & Rutherford Housing Partnership for the Goat Zoom Bomb... This is an awesome fundraiser to help. Keeping housing programs funded right now."

All proceeds from the GoatZoom go to help make urgent housing repairs to homes in Rutherford County.