News Archives: Volunteer Appreciation 2007: 2007-07-29
Please Note: Information in this archived article may no longer be accurate.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATIONEvery year I am asked to help name a Volunteer of the Year, and every year, I try to decline. This year it worked. So many people do so many different things to help HSPC, it is impossible to evaluate. And why should we have to? Everything is important, and we truly appreciate everything that everyone does to help the animals. And besides, lots of people do things that I am not aware of, as I am not at the shelter that often. That said, however, there are some folks who have steadily helped with a lot of activities, and we would like to recognize them. I know this list is nowhere near complete, and if I have overlooked anyone, it is because, well, I made a mistake, or wasn't aware. HSPC would like to recognize the following volunteers: Christine (and Jack) Henderson, who runs our Humane Education program, taking important, age-appropriate information on animal care and animal welfare to schools, libraries, corporations, TV…and to our own in-house Critter Camp. Christine became a Certified Humane Educator, and provides wonderful take-aways at each event, to remind people about animals, and HSPC. She also fosters sick and young dogs and cats, and does many, many other things for HSPC.
Judy Miller and Sandra Belin, the Cat Room Ladies, who for years have spent every Sunday working the cat rooms in place of staff, and who help get our kitties adopted
The folks who come to Dog Washes on a regular schedule, year after year: Gene Mullins, Jerod Ohman, Hannah Lopez, Tony O'Brien, Margie Wesinger, and Billye Burke. And the NLR crew… Mary Stephens, Ann and Robert Linton
Chris Ellis, who has been managing Whiskers at the Mall far longer than he ever intended, and his crew of regulars...Joe Bergin, Wrenne Green, Nancy Ward, and Martha Price, Denise Burnett, Joanne Little, Kimber Painton and Lori Lednick Our Dog Trainers, who have increased the adoption opportunities for our older dogs by teaching them basic dog manners…sit, stay, walk on a leash, listen…Alexis Leidigh, Jennifer and Brad Rodgers, Amber and Mark Tanner, Nicole Nichols, Linda Finkbeiner, Tony and Kyla Aycock, Debbie Hinkelman, Susann Szmania, Karen Waldroff. And of course our Trainers' Trainers, Cindy Alberding and Phyllis Newton, who developed this important program. And these folks also provided engraved name tags for every dog in the shelter, no small task.
Our Day Planner folks— Suzanne Hamilton, Sammye Johnston, and Dawn Bravard and all the people who help them.
Pat Van Duinen, who helps with everything—goes on abuse calls with Kay, transports animals, and is always ready to provide whatever we need—equipment, supplies, hard work…
Ruth Vanderveen, who transports animals to their vet appointments, and has fostered more dogs and puppies than we could possibly count, shedding a few tears as each one finds its forever home
Our wonderful new Adoption Counselors, Jennifer Rodgers, Stephanie Pierson, and Kyla Aycock, who have gotten so many adult dogs adopted into wonderful homes this year.
Karla Back, who sends thank you notes to everyone who mails in a donation
… Claudia Stevenson, who has done the bi-weekly payroll related activities - incl. tax deposits, P/R tax returns, etc. - for the shelter forever.
Susann Szmania and Karen Waldroff who do so much—from developing a new computer program to track our animals, maintaining the Dog Park, fostering, setting up the dog-tagging program… so many things I can't list them in a short space.
All the folks who come and walk dogs…giving our dogs and pups the highlights of their days--- a chance to run and play, and have some personal attention… Nikki Harper, Amanda Traw, Sherry King, Amanda Bellew, Andrea (and Ashlyn) Underwood, Toni Seavers, Toby Fair
Cathy McDow, who is moving to Texas , who always comes through with whatever is needed…we will miss you!
And the people who respond to the Dog Needs Ride emails…these are not HSPC dogs (or, sometimes, cats), but animals traveling across the country, 60 mile leg by 60 mile leg, from kill-shelters to loving homes. I do not even know who all of you are… but I know Leah Chavis, Billye Burke, Norma Hamilton, Pat Van Duinen, Debbie Howell , Ann and Robert Linton have all taken some furry passengers.
Also, the folks who put on Reigning Cats and Dogs each year: Laurel Lawrence, Debbie Howell, Lyn Owens, Michelle Ketzscher,Debby Benjamin, Jill Martin, Cathy McDow, Hayden Allred, Kris Farmer, Shelley Seitz, Miranda Traw, Wrenne Green, Melissa Campbell, Laurie Lamb, Robin Longinotti, Melanie Wood, Alexis Leidgh, Karen Waldroff.
Andrea Underwood, great fund-raiser, foster mom, and shelter helper
The Puppy Love crew: Amanda Carter, Mary Stephens, Amber Tappan, Leigh Denninger, Becky Alverson… I know there are more of you!
Mike Green, our website and general computer advisor, who helps us with the (many) things we can't figure out ourselves.
Gloria Lane, who maintained our website for so many years.
Our TV stars, who get up very early to take dogs to TV shows on Saturdays and Thursdays: Jill Martin, Jerod Ohman, Debbie Howell, Stephanie Pierson, Karen Waldroff, Jennifer Rodgers, Gene Mullins, Christine Henderson and Alexis Leidigh. These dogs almost always get adopted; these folks put a good "face" to HSPC.!
And our Foster Families...those folks who take animals into their homes and care for them until we can place them for adoption, making it possible for us to saves so many more animals... among them: Marna Fransen, Laura Cole, Andrea Underwood, Jamie Beecher, Stephanie Pierson, Brad and Jennifer Rodgers, Donna and Steve Brown, Wayne and Janet Geisbrecht, Pat and John Brower, Pat Rose, Norma Hamilton, Michelle Bailey Keahey, Jan Jackson, Denise Burnette, Angie Johnson, JoAnna Jones, Nancy Harm, Andrea Underwood, and Ken Williams, who always has several HSPC animals at his home...I know there are a lot more…
My Birthday Party assistants, Hayden Allred, and others who help.
And many people reminded me of all the things Lyn Owens does that are way beyond the requirements of her role as Board President... Produces newsletter, oversees shelter business daily, deals with all donations and deposits, writes hundreds of thank you notes and makes dozens of phone calls, etc., assists with building improvements...
... And of course John Thaden, who among other things, maintains our computers, our wastewater system, and helps me (a lot!) with all the things I get credit for…
We have an incredible group of dedicated volunteers, many more than listed above, and the success of the Humane Society and the welfare of our animals depends on you.
From the Board, the Staff, and especially from the animals…thank you for your help!