Animal welfare organization H.E.A.L, supported by the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, held a meeting on November 3, 2011 in San Bernardino with prominent local citizens and politicians to encourage their participation in making much needed improvements to the community shelter.

At the meeting attendees were informed about the poor state of repair at the 60 year-old San Bernardino Shelter, which maintains and cares for animals in five contracted cities. Speakers, who included Sharon Blechinger and Cindy Kreeger from H.E.A.L and Meg Heigl Beltran on behalf of the JDHF, explained how change can only be facilitated by increasing awareness of the plight of the animals at the shelter:

Meg Heigl Beltran Addresses The Audience In San Bernardino Meg Heigl Beltran Addresses The Audience In San Bernardino

Speech Written By Nancy Heigl

My name is Meg Heigl Beltran and along with my mother and sister, Katherine Heigl, we founded the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation several years ago. Both my sister and mother regret they could not be here tonight, but unfortunately they had another business event that they could not cancel. They've asked me to to say a few words to you all on behalf of the entire Heigl family and the Foundation.

Over a year ago the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation launched the Compassion Revolution. The Compassion Revolution was launched with a Million Dollar commitment for spay/neuter in LA and the surrounding LA areas. Since that time we have donated 150K for free spay/neuter in the San Bernardino area and several thousand more to help the shelter and buy H.E.A.L a transport van to move small dogs out of the shelter to approved designated locations and rescues. We have also funded many of those transports.

It is because of H.E.A.L, Sharon and Cindy that the situation at San Bernardino Shelter first came to our attention; and it is because of them that the Foundation choose to support San Bernardino with this much financial help. And it is because of them that the Foundation wants to continue to help financially and do whatever we can to support their goals and work in San Bernardino. They are working very hard and very smart to change the horrible conditions at your shelter, improve working conditions for the shelter employees and improve the inhumane circumstances for the animals. The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation intends to continue this support of H.E.A.L and the city of San Bernardino; but, now realizes that we are not making as much progress as we hoped for.

We are now asking for your help and cooperation. It is apparent that we cannot do this alone. H.E.A.L can not do it alone, we can't do it alone and you can't do it alone. No matter how hard we all work or how much money we donate to this cause we cannot do it without the support and cooperation that we need from all of you.

Although we are primarily an animal welfare organization we are committed also to the truth, that when we clean up the shelters, change the dynamic within the community toward animals, raise people's awareness and compassion, that the results always enlarge the lives of all within that community. St. Francis of Assisi once said:

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."St. Francis of Assisi

By teaching compassion and responsibility to people toward their animals, it is a natural result that they begin to see all life, including their own and their neighbors, with greater respect and care. As we accomplish our goal for San Bernardino it will bring a new sense of pride and hope to the whole community. Some would say that our goal isn’t possible but they would be wrong. If we all work together it is very POSSIBLE! And has been accomplished many times before. Margaret Mead, the brilliant sociologist, after years of studying various communities said:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation wants to continue to help do that for all of San Bernardino. We are asking for your help to begin to turning the Shelter into a model, clean, compassionate, humane (and even hopefully "no kill" shelter; and then, by using our access to the press, to bring the attention of what was accomplished, with all of your help, to other towns and cities. Truly start a Revolution. A Compassion Revolution that began in San Bernardino!!

Thank you.