Ever heard of the snowball effect? The concept is that you take a little snowball and roll it down a hill. If conditions are right, gravity and physics turn that cute little puff-ball into a monster that can bury your sister’s bike in one fell swoop.

Tom Fuller of Chicago, Illinois, has a shining example of the same concept. It all started with telling his neighbors he was visiting Best Friends! Five years ago, Tom mentioned to a couple friends and neighbors that he was visiting the sanctuary. "Hey," they said, "Would you mind bringing along this stuff to donate?" Tom doesn’t remember exactly how big that first round of donated goods was, but it started the snowball tumbling down the hill.

Soon, word got out. People started finding more and more stuff to donate. And then Tom got to thinking: If everybody had all these things just lying around, what would happen if he actually went out and looked?

Tom began hitting up vet offices and animal hospitals, leaving literature and fliers about Best Friends. Often, he’d pass around the Best Friends wish list to see if they had anything to donate.

Before long, items began flooding in. A retired Marine, Tom drives a Hummer, which is helpful on these trips. He can barely fit in everything the community now donates. On this last trip, in fact, Tom is dang lucky nobody wanted to pitch in a toothbrush at the last minute. It probably wouldn’t have fit! In fact, when he opened the back door at the unloading area, things started flying out like a Jack-in-the-box unleashed.

Included in this last collection of gifts was a portable x-ray machine (donated by Chicago Veterinary Emergency Vets), pet food, tons of toys, all kinds of medical supplies, blankets, towels, a box of tennis balls, and on and on. One of his neighbors went out and spent $50 on cat food. "You didn’t have to do that," Tom told her. "I know, but I had coupons!" she replied.

Another neighbor in his retirement community has a daughter who is a working vet. The daughter donated a whole bunch of puppy vaccination kits—and those aren’t cheap! All told, Tom brings in thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies and other goodies each year.

He wants to get the word out that this really is simple. "Driving to Best Friends?" Tom asks. "Then tell your neighbors. Tell your vets!" You’ll be amazed how much they want to help the animals. Only don’t be surprised if you end up needing to use your sideview mirrors to make the trip. Thanks, Tom, for rallying your whole community like this. The animals really appreciate it.

Story by David Dickson
Photo by Sarah Ause

Learn how you can visit Best Friends. Or, find out what the animals are wishing for on their wish list.

October 22, 2008 : 4:02 PM ET
posted by: KELLIC

OH MY GOODNESS, I LIVE IN SOUTH GEORGIA AND HONEST TO GOD IF I COULD I WOULD WALK TO BEST FRIENDS THAT'S HOW DARN BAD I WANT TO GO AND HELP THIS PLACE YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION - IF YOU EVER NEED A HUMMER BUDDY TO RIDE WITH YOU OR JUST COLLECT ITEMS PLEASE REMEMBER ME - I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP YOU HELP THE CRITTERS - I LOVE ANIMALS OF ALL KINDS THANKS AND KEEP ON GIVING KELLI CONNELL SALE CITY GEORGIA

October 22, 2008 : 3:39 PM ET
posted by: alex

Tom, you rock!

October 22, 2008 : 1:14 PM ET
posted by: kayry

Thanks a lot Tom for making me cry!!! What a wonderful job you did, you've inspired me when my family and I go visit BF to bring a truckload.

October 21, 2008 : 8:11 PM ET
posted by: Ev B

Tom Fuller, (Chicago) God bless you for what you do for the critters! I would love to meet you and hear about your work! I didn't know there were any guys out there with as sappy a heart as mine! It is wonderful that you have the ability to do what you do! I truly wish I could help you! Keep it up and let me hear from you! Sappily, Ev Beagles, North Carolina

October 18, 2008 : 9:48 PM ET
posted by: cmatthews

Tom,

Bless you and all of you friends for this special devilery trip you do each year for Best Friends. There is a specail palce in Heaven (with all the dogs & cats) for you!

Carol ^..^

October 18, 2008 : 2:51 PM ET
posted by: jemiabsalu

Tom exemplifies what is best in people.

After our elderly dog died recently, we loaded the car with all her dog things as we will not be able to adopt another dog for awhile. We took all her stuff to our local humane society shelter, including several bottles of her medications, some still unopened as we bought in bulk to save money. Our local shelter was thrilled to get what we brought and had to bring a dolly out to our car so they could load everything on it. Knowing that our old girl's things could be put to good use by other dogs in need helped ease our pain at losing her just a little.

So whether folks donate to Best Friends whose work with the animals is outstanding or to your local animal shelter, giving what you can, even just a few simple dog or cat items, helps BF and animal shelters to continue to exist and do their good work.

Kudos to Tom and all who contributed in the Chicago area. I am always touched to learn of the generosity of others.

October 18, 2008 : 12:47 AM ET
posted by: hergie

I am also from the Chicago area and would love to contribute to his next trip. I was in Kanab last spring and can't wait to go again...want to bring me along? Always said those marines were good guys! Jan

October 17, 2008 : 2:09 PM ET
posted by: RENEE1

Bless you Tom for your big heart. Every time I start to think that this world is becoming a cruel place and begin to get depressed, there are stories like yours that restore my faith in the human spirit. I am an avid animal lover myself and believe in helping animals since they cannot help themselves ( as people can); they need and deserve as much help and relief as we can provide.

Thank you again for your good work!!

Renee Ferrero Huntington Beach, CA.

October 17, 2008 : 2:07 PM ET
posted by: Karyn Grubb

YAY! Tom is my hero for the day!! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness!!

October 17, 2008 : 11:25 AM ET
posted by: jeaners2000

WAY TO GO TOM!!! I love the idea. You've inspired me to do the same here. Thanks!

October 17, 2008 : 3:26 AM ET
posted by: juliazak

Excellent concept and so very easy to organize! Now, I know Best Friends is not for specifically introducing humans to each other, but if Tom is interested in entering into a dialogue, then I'm sure we can find a way :). He clearly demonstrates a love of animal-kind, so already has a score of 9/10 :)

October 17, 2008 : 12:39 AM ET
posted by: kopekler

Brilliant idea! I am going to try doing the same here in Ankara

October 16, 2008 : 11:42 PM ET
posted by: Millie'sMom

I also think this is great and I support Best Friends as often as I can, but we do need to help our local agencies also. I live north of Beaumont, Texas and our no kill facilities have been full since Rita and desperately need help. Now we have had Ike and the situation is really sad down here.

October 16, 2008 : 8:43 PM ET
posted by: jumpgirl

I think this is great!

But guys, don't forget your local rescue organizations and groups....if you've got the stuff, donate it locally to help those animals in need!

You don't need to plan a special trip to drive across the country to make a difference. This story should inspire us all to look around our houses, ask our neighbors, and then drive on over to the nearest no-kill group/shelter/organization and donate it now!!

Keep up the good work Tom and hopefully this will have a "snow ball" effect for our local animals in need as well!

October 16, 2008 : 8:12 PM ET
posted by: mbollinger

I did the same thing post Hurricane Katrina! I worked at a hospital in a small rural town (Sierra Nevada Hopsital in Grass Valley, CA). I put out a collection box in the ICU nurse's lounge and asked for donations. Wow! The response was un-beliveable! I had people come to me, hand me a leash and a bowl, and say something like... "This is from our old dog so-and-so, that has been gone for three years... she wants a dog in need to have her old bowl and leash"! I had people give me $20 bills as I walked down the hall...for gas. I told folks to go on-line to make money donations, so they could get the tax rebate. I only wanted the "stuff" that was taking up spave at their home". I have a small RV, and one week to prep for the trip. I put the dinette table down, and made that area up as a bed. It was stacked to the cieling with donations! One nurse that lived out of town, and off the electric grid, went to the dollar store and brought me boxes of brushes, bowels, and toys. I was not prepared for the huge response! I ended up spending three weeks at Best Friends, as Hurricane Rita raised her ugly head. It was a life-changing experienece! And, I highly reccomend it, even if there is no hurricane posing a threat!

October 16, 2008 : 7:49 PM ET
posted by: abbysmama

officially an inspiration. i live in new york city, and would love to drive out there. ( i flew when i went to visit this year). now i have incentive to drive! stuff my car up with stuff :) hoorah for you tom

October 16, 2008 : 1:54 PM ET
posted by: cathy corbin

There really are lots of wonderful people in the world. Thank you Tom for collecting such wonderful donations, and for driving them to BF!

October 16, 2008 : 11:52 AM ET
posted by: megsie

Tom, you are my kind of guy! Will you marry me?

October 15, 2008 : 6:50 PM ET
posted by: bordercolliemom

I live in a suburb of Chicago. Is there any way you can let us know when Tom is making another trip? I would love to send some gifts to BF'S

October 14, 2008 : 2:34 PM ET
posted by: babs1171

Way to go Tom! Once a Marine always a Marine! You may have retired from active service in the military but you sure are doing a wonderful service here! Semper Fi!!!!!

October 14, 2008 : 1:48 PM ET
posted by: Rita2828

wow you are such a super nice person to do that. You are my kind of guy caring and giving. I hope some day to meet some one with your qualities in a man, i truly admire that. God Bless you

Rita from Brooklyn

October 13, 2008 : 12:49 PM ET
posted by: dianaj

TOM YOU ROCK!!!!

That is a brillant idea and done with such a great heart!!!

The BF animals all go THANKS TOM!!!

October 13, 2008 : 10:29 AM ET
posted by: ODIE'SMOM

WAY TO GO TOM. I LIVE A COUPLE HOURS WEST OF CHICAGO SO IF YOUR EVER PASSING BY STOP IN, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADD SOME STUFF TO YOUR STACK. THIS IS A GREAT THING YOUR DOING & KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB.