February 2010 Volunteer of the Month - Kathy Kelly-Weston
Kathy is one of the regular large dog walkers for MaxFund. She walks the dogs just about every day, which is especially important during the week when MaxFund is short on volunteers. She is one of the first to help the new dogs that come to Maxfund, and she gives them love and reassurance. Many of these dogs are housed in the shed, and she makes sure they are walked and made to feel welcomed. She walks some of the more difficult dogs and they sense her calmness. In addition to walking dogs during the week and occasionally on weekends, she also escorted one of the dogs to Puttin on the Max this year.
Kathy helps observe the new dogs and pass information along to the bio writers, and her observations show how much she loves each and every one of them and what their unique and beautiful traits are. She gets to know the dogs likes, dislikes, and temperament and is very instrumental in passing this information along. If she sees a change in a dog's behavior, she will be sure the people who write the bios know of the behavior change.
Kathy has a great attitude and a great love for the MaxFund dogs. She also is quick to help other volunteers when needed, and has recently taken on the responsibility of becoming a Volunteer Mentor, helping volunteers by giving them many helpful tips on dogs and helping them get comfortable with walking the dogs.
Thank you Kelly for all your love and dedication. The dogs thank you too!
January 2010 Volunteer of the Month - Louise Pickford
Louise is a wonderful volunteer who has proven her dedication to MaxFund time and again in so many ways, especially with her devotion to the small dogs. She is always an advocate for what's best for the small dogs and works tirelessly to see them walked, exercised, groomed and given proper care and attention. She is a regular dog walker during the week, which is when dog walkers are desperately needed. She is an outspoken advocate for them and she is always watching out for their every need -- making sure they get what is needed to make their stay at MaxFund as good as possible.
Not only does Louise take care of the dogs while they are at MaxFund, she also works hard to make sure the dogs get adopted. For example, she spent a lot of time with the skipperkees that were rescued from a basement two years ago and helped each one in getting adopted. They were terrified and highly unsocialized. She spent endless hours holding and cuddling them, sitting with them in their cages, playing with them in the rehab range and getting them leash-trained.
Louise also does a magnificent job writing the dog bios. She is conscientious about keeping current on the bios so the dogs have the best chance of finding a home as soon as possible. She is extremely valuable to the dogs and even though she has suffered innumerable nips and bites, she doesn't give up on any of the little dogs – no matter how difficult they are.
Thank you Louise for your love and devotion. The dogs thank you too.
December 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Jennifer Terry
Jennifer is a wonderful volunteer who is making a big difference for the cats. Every Sunday, Jennifer comes to MaxFund to love the cats and help socialize them. She is particularly regular with the clinic cats, and she is good with the scared ones. She also makes an effort to pay attention to some of the cats that don't get as much attention. In fact, recently she picked up and carried a long-term cat that other volunteers can't even pet. Not only is she great with the cats, but she is also great at building rapport with visitors and helping them to get to know our great cats.
Jennifer also steps up and helps whenever there are outside events for the cats. For example, she stepped up to help organize an adoption event at Petsmart, and she has staffed other Petsmart events when we've had adopt-a-thons. Similarly, she helped staff the mobile van for the Lucky Mutt Strut, so the cats in the van could receive love, and potential adopters could receive information about the cats from a person who truly knows the cats.
Jennifer has also been instrumental in helping to get cats on the web faster and to generate interest in them by writing many of the bios. She truly has done an amazing job in helping to create interest in our cats with her funny and creative words. Potential adopters cannot help but fall in love with our cats when they read Jennifer's bios.
Thank you, Jennifer, for all you do! The cats love you an appreciate it!
November 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Taylor Vitale
Taylor has been a regular volunteer at MaxFund since April of 2008. One of her first important roles was that of coordinator for the University Boulevard PetSmart mobile adoption site in the summer of 2008. Since that time, she has also become very important to the office/clinic staff when we've had injured animals. At least two times, she has driven injured MaxFund animals (a kitten with a severe leg injury and a dog with the same) all the way to a veterinary clinic in Castle Rock at the request of the office/clinic staff. Of course, she was glad to help out even though it was a long distance.
Her current awesome role, along with her mom Terri is taking pictures of the new dogs every week and then forwarding sends those pictures along to Tami to get those dogs on the web! For those of you who have attempted to photograph dogs, much less unfamiliar and sometimes scared dogs, you know how difficult this is, and she does a fantastic job. She also gets up early on two Thursdays to take a dog or cat to Channel 4 for the Pet of the Week segment. She helps out in the office when it is busy and has found homes for multiple dogs and always has a project dog. She is at the shelter several days a week and puts in a lot of hours with her various projects!! Taylor is very committed and passionate about MaxFund, and an incredible advocate for our beloved animal shelter.
Thank you, Taylor, for all you do. Our furry friends thank you too.
October 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Suzanne Creacy
Suzanne is an amazing volunteer who has helped to radically change the lives of many of MaxFund's shy and scared cats. Although Suzanne volunteers throughout the shelter, she has made the biggest difference in Janet's Room—the cat room off the laundry where the shy and scared cats live. Thanks to her love, patience and understanding, many of these cats have had a chance for happiness and homes. Many of them can now be pet, when previously they feared or distrusted humans too much. For example, Katia is a cat who has lived at MaxFund since 2004. She could not be pet for many years. But thanks to Suzanne, Katia is now infamous. Anyone who enters the room is greeted by Katia and her demands for affection. She enjoys laps now and is fine being picked up and carried. It's an amazing transformation!
Suzanne also walks dogs and contributes wherever she can. Not surprisingly, she has also fostered kittens for the shelter.
Recently, Suzanne showed her dedication to the MaxFund cats when one of the cats—Sweet Pea from Janet's Room—got out of its adoptive home. The apartment complex where Sweet Pea lived was an active area for coyotes and foxes. As soon as Suzanne heard about Sweet Pea's escape, she went daily to look for Sweet Pea. She posted flyers, talked to neighbors and didn't give up. She woke up very early many days in the hopes of catching Sweet Pea. Finally, after neighbors sighted Sweet Pea, Suzanne got up in the middle of the night and spent hours waiting to catch her. She finally was albe to find, trap and return Sweet Pea to MaxFund, where she had to have surgery due to bites/abscesses. Sweet Pea is alive because of Suzanne's dedication and perseverance!
Thank you, Suzanne, for your amazing heart, dedication and love! The cats would not be the same without you!
September 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Nancy Kuck
Nancy has been volunteering at MaxFund since 2006 and has become a valuable resource. She works with the dogs, and when you see Nancy, you're likely to see a big dog with her. Nancy has a nice, calm manner about her, even in the midst of the chaos often experienced at MaxFund. So she is a wonderful mentor to our new volunteers. She has so much experience that she is often the person to offer valuable advice or come up with a solution.
Although you'd think that Nancy is strictly a dog person, she also has helped some of our oldest cat residents. She has adopted two of our FIV cats who were long-time residents, including Mr. Grey. Mr. Grey was infamous for his drools and occasional grumpiness. Although most people were turned off by an older, drooling cat, Nancy asked who was least likely to get adopted, and she took him.
Thank you, Nancy, for all you do at MaxFund! The volunteers, staff, dogs and cats treasure you!
August 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Daniel Palen
Daniel has been volunteering at MaxFund since 2004, which makes him more "senior" than most other volunteers, myself included! In fact, he was just a young kid when he started to volunteer with his mom Leslie Palen (another FABULOUS volunteer!), and since that time, he has made a big difference. For the past year or more Daniel has headed up the mobile adoption committee and been responsible for serving as a liaison with several of the PetsMart/Petco store managers, coordinating volunteers and communicating with the shelter staff to ensure animals are at the mobiles where they are needed. Thanks to the mobile program, MaxFund has gotten additional exposure, and several dogs have found a home. He has also worked with some locations to get MaxFund cats on location!
In addition to mobile adoptions, Daniel also heads up the technology committee. In this role, he has helped the MaxFund to implement a new animal database and to secure donated computer equipment for the shelter and has also done a lot of general technical support for the computers and network at the shelter which has saved a lot of time and expense of having to call someone in to fix these issues. He has also helped out by printing volunteer handbooks so we aren't so reliant on paying printing companies to print these each time.
Daniel is headed off to college this fall in Kansas, but he still plans to help MaxFundfrom Kansas! He and Leslie will still be working on coordinating mobiles even though Daniel won't actually be able to attend these himself. The Palens can still use help with specific mobile locations though, so if you are interested in helping him with those, or if you'd just like to congratulate him, you can reach him at danielpalen@mac.com.
Thank you, Daniel, for all you do. The animals thank you!
July 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Jeanne Hind
Jeanne is a wonderful volunteer who has helped both cats and dogs at MaxFund -- a unique feat at MaxFund. At mobile adoptions, she is a great face for MaxFund. She is always friendly, courteous and helpful with her smiling face and personality. When MaxFund needs help with mobile adoptions -- whether it is a cat show or a dog adoption -- Jeanne is always one of the first to volunteer. She also is a great dog walker, and the cats love her! Jeanne is especially good with some of the cats who are shy.
Recently, Jeanne has been very important for the MaxFund cats living at Petco. She has been visiting them and trying to coordinate volunteers to visit, so the cats living there get love and attention while they wait for their forever homes. Jeanne is also a wonderful mentor, always willing to help new volunteers become acquainted with the shelter. Jeanne also understands the true meaning of foster care and has offered her services on numerous occasions - she has taken some of the older cats, including Boots, one of the oldest cats at MaxFund.
Thank you, Jeanne, for all you do! The cats and dogs appreciate it.
June 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Ilene Johnson
Ilene has been nominated several times for volunteer of the month and her winning the award is highly overdue. She is one of those volunteers who has been volunteering with MaxFund for so long and so consistently you can just about set your watch to her. One nominator titled her "Dog Walker Supreme", noting that Ilene is often at the shelter 6 days a week and has been doing so for over 11 years. Her ability to not just walk dogs but work with the dogs at the shelter to truly make life better for them and help find them homes, often working with some of the more challenging dogs despite her own busy schedule is absolutely amazing. Just a few recent examples of Ilene going above and beyond include the help that Caesar needed for an injury, which resulted in his adoption, and taking the reins in getting Tanuki's story in the forefront with the Blue Moon Akita Rescue which also resulted in Tanuki's adoption. "She has the spirit that makes MaxFund great".
On top of her regular dog walking, her assistance with new volunteers as a volunteer mentor has been helpful to countless new volunteers, and she has constantly been supportive and constructive with the volunteer program and the shelter as a whole no matter what seems to be going on at the time, which does not go unnoticed!
Thank you so much Ilene for all you do for MaxFund!
May 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Diane Stewart
Diane is an invaluable volunteer and resource for the MaxFund cats. Every week, she spends time with virtually every MaxFund cat, and she knows their personalities very well. It is obvious watching her that she cares deeply about the cats, and she even cries when some of them go home. Because of her knowledge, she has been able to help get many of the new cats and old timers a home. She also helps to follow-up with adopters, and she makes us all happy when she gives us wonderful updates on the cats in their new homes. Diane helps not only with the cats, but she is also a graphic artist and has done many flyers and posters for MaxFund. She designed the cage cards that are currently used for the dogs and cat cages. These cards allow adopters, staff and volunteers to have knowledge of the animal. She not only designed them, but she also prints them at her expense. Diane is always willing to step up and help when MaxFund needs help. When the cat foster coordinator was out of town, Diane filled in for her and got a couple of cats in homes. When the volunteer who handles the Petsmart adoptions got sick, Diane stepped up to transport the cats to the store and helped to facilitate which cats would go. She also has become a wonderful mentor to new volunteers.
Diane, thank you for all you do. You are amazing, and the animals at MaxFund thank you!
April 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Andrea Kapsos
Andrea has only been at the shelter for a few months but is alreayd making a big impact! She does an awesome job with the dogs, and goes above and beyond to help the big and little dogs. She takes them on outings and overnights to get them out of the shelter and to see their true personality shine through. She buys toys and makes sure that dogs have a toy to help occupy their time, especially the dogs in the shed. She also makes sure they have water and blankets to snuggle in.
She has recently taken over the Large Dog walking sheet updates, and she made some nice cosmetic changes. She is always thinking of ways to make their lives easier and happier. She treats the dogs like royalty and makes each dog feel so special. She is always ready to help with the shy, scared dogs in making them feel more comfortable. She participates with the Champs program and helps out with mobile adoptions. She also buys them clothes and harnesses if she thinks they need it.
Andrea knows the dogs so well she is one of those great resources that when a potential adopter comes in and isn't quite sure what they are looking for, Andrea can help them find a match! This ensures that people find the dog they are looking for, but also that some dogs that might not otherwise get seen are getting the attention they deserve!
As if all this wasn't enough, Andrea also spends a lot of her time helping mentor new volunteers to make sure they are comfortable with the process of volunteering and showing them everything they need to know at the shelter.
Thank you Andrea for all that you do!
March 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Sally & Shannon Thomas
Sally and her daughter, Shannon, are fabulous volunteers who work behind the scenes and are not known by many, because they work with the cats at Petsmart. They visit with the cats living at Petsmart weekly to ensure they are socialized, healthy and happy, and they have helped the shy cats come out of their shells. Sally, a vet tech, also ensures the cats are healthy and watches for any signs of illness or stress. Thanks to her and Shannon, some long-time or older cats have gotten adopted.
Recently, Sally also has stepped up to keep the Petsmart program going while the volunteer in charge of Petsmart has been recovering from health issues. Sally has been transporting the cats to Petsmart and serving as an invaluable liaison with the Petsmart staff for any potential medical issues. Thanks to her, the cages at Petsmart are full and when we get adoptions at Petsmart, she fills the cages with new cats. Of course, she and her daughter make sure to love the cats and help them transition to the new environment. Our success rate at Petsmart can be attributed to the love and devotion Sally and Shannon give to our cats.
Sally also has become a foster parent to one of MaxFund's older cats who was getting very sad. Thanks to the Thomas house, Sadie now has a place to live.
Thank you Sally and Shannon for all that you do. Our kitties thank you too!
February 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Donna Ryan
The foster program is one of the reasons that MaxFund has always been great - finding temporary (or permanent) homes for some of the animals that are harder to adopt or need to get out of the shelter for whatever reason - health, behavioral or they just aren't doing well with the noises of the shelter. As the foster coordinator, Donna has a huge responsibility and she's accepted and embraced it! She has maintained a network of over 50 foster families and is always reaching out to existing and new homes to get some animals out of the shelter. In addition to seeking foster homes she also coordinates with foster families and Dr. Lin to ensure foster animals are seen when necessary, receiving their appropriate shots, etc. Donna also works as an intermediary to ensure potential adopters can get in touch with foster families when necessary to see about meeting the animals. With the help of other volunteers, Donna helps select the animals in need of fostering, modifying their bios and keeping everyone in the loop about who is looking for foster homes, who is in foster, and who's been adopted out of their foster homes.
Thank you, Donna, for all that you have given to the older, sick and needy animals at the MaxFund! We are lucky to have you on board!
January 2009 Volunteer of the Month - Stacey Sedbrook
Stacey is a dedicated volunteer who cherishes and loves MaxFund’s kitties. Stacey has been a champion and friend especially to the cats with FIV and Felv. She spends countless hours with them and loves them like her own. She also has been very helpful with the frightened kitties. On many occasions, she has been known to have a gentle talk with the cats who need a little extra attention and focus.
Stacey has also expanded her role even more by assisting in the foster program for the cats. Thanks to her efforts, many of MaxFund’s older, depressed and sad kitties have found a home. She has even gotten some of the tougher cats -- the Felv -- cats into a home. Because many of the foster cats are older or depressed, Stacey stays in regular contact with the foster parents. She calls them in the first few nights to make sure the cats have adjusted.
Recently, Stacey has assisted in helping to get our cats featured on the Pet of the Week segments on Channel 4. She is working with the producer to enhance the segments even more. I’m sure we’ll see great things from her participation.
Not only is Stacey a blessing to the cats, but she is also a wonderful mentor. She is always willing to bake cookies for MaxFund events or just brighten someone’s day with her smile. Thank you, Stacey, for all that you do!!!
December 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Julie Milder
Julie started out with MaxFund when she was getting married and rather than accepting gifts, wanted to accept donations for a shelter. She felt that MaxFund was very deserving of the donation and raised a lot of money for MaxFund in leu of gifts! She decided to get a little more involved, and so she began volunteering and has been an excellent resource ever since!
She has helped with many of the events such as Lucky Mutt Strut, as well as helping take over the coordination of dog photos and bios as well as assisting with getting the cat bios posted and updated, which is essential to getting these animals the exposure they need to get updated!
She has also been more than willing to help mentor new volunteers and show them the ropes whenever possible! Thank you so much Julie for all you do around the shelter!
November 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Becky Ettenhoffer
Becky is a long-time volunteer at the MaxFund. She spends many hours and has such enthusiasm for fostering animals and looking for homes for them. She has fostered sick kittens, and she fostered Chef/Chief, one of MaxFund's long-term dogs. She also helps take care of Molly Dharma, one of MaxFund's most infamous dogs. Thanks to Becky, some of MaxFund's most challenging animals have felt love and companionship.
Becky just completed being a key player for the Molly Dharma run, an event that raised $3000. At the same time, she was a great help for the Pars for Paws event, which raised approximately $4300. She is such an asset to the shelter.
Her enthusiasm and caring attitude are remarkable. Thanks, Becky, for all you do!
October 2008 Volunteer of the Month - CJ Annas
CJ has done an amazing job with our Petsmart program. She was willing to step up and take over the program when no one knew anything about it. Now, she coordinates with the staff at Petsmart to make sure our cats living at Petsmart are cared for and adopted. She also coordinates which cats will go to Petsmart, and she often is the one transporting them. Thanks to CJ's dedication and hard work, roughly seven cats get adopted from Petsmart every month.
CJ also makes sure the cats are happy while at Petsmart. She personally checks on them and she also has coordinated a group of volunteers to go to Petsmart to socialize the cats and keep them happy. This increases their chance for adoption and makes their quality of life better. She also has spent time following up with people who have adopted from Petsmart to make sure the cats are adjusting well in their new homes.
In addition to coordinating the whole Petsmart program, CJ also helps with special events. She assisted with the Lucky Mutt Strut, and she played a role in the planning and support of the Molly Dharma Run fundraiser.
Thank you, CJ, for all that you do for MaxFund and the kitties!!! You make a huge difference!
September 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Carol Bennett
Carol has been a volunteer at MaxFund for over a year now, and has made an impact on a lot of dogs and cats at the shelter! One of her nominators described her as a "Dog Walker SUPREME". She spends every lunch hour during the week at MF walking dogs, and is often there on Saturday walking dogs as well. She works with some of our more challenging boys and girls with the ultimate goal of finding them their forever home.
In addition to the help at the shelter, she also takes in mom and kitten cats into her home for foster care, provides MaxFund with food and supplies, and helps out with events and fundraisers as well! She raised over a thousand dollars for the recent Lucky Mutt Strut event, and was also one of the top points earner in the zootoo shelter makeover contest! Her consistency is great and many of the dogs count on seeing her at lunchtime for their daily walk!
Thanks Carol for all you do for MaxFund!
August 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Dorian Merrill
Although Dorian has been at MaxFund for only a short time, she has made a huge difference for the cats. She visits, loves and plays with the cats usually 2-3 times per week. Anyone who goes into the cat rooms knows Dorian, because she is there frequently and has become a mainstay of those rooms. She has become an expert on all cats, so when adopters need help, she can give them answers about virtually any cat – not just cats in a specific room.
Dorian not only loves the cats and visits with them, but she also has been helping with their bios for the web. Her wit, humor and creativity make the cats come alive on paper. Her bios are so fun and vibrant that we're surprised people haven't rushed in to get the cats! Thanks to her help, cats in the Incoming Room are getting on the web faster.
Dorian also chips in whenever anyone needs help, and she has become an important contributor to the cat discussions on the forums. She is enjoyable for both the cats and people, and she always has a smile!
Thanks, Dorian, for all you do for the wonderful cats at MaxFund! They thank you!
July 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Erin Fandal
Although Erin has only recently returned to MaxFund as a volunteer, she has made a large impact and taken on so many roles. She has been helping to coordinate mobile adoptions, which in and of itself is a large job. She has also been very important and helpful with special events, including the Lucky Mutt Strut and soliciting auction items for Puttin on the Max.
Erin has not only been helpful with special events and adoptions, but she has also become invaluable at the shelter. When the front desk staff needs help, she works at the front desk. She always greets people with a cheerful smile and friendly hello, which makes volunteers and potential adopters feel very welcome. Of course, she is a big fan of the dogs and can often be found loving the dogs. As a new volunteer mentor, she has been helpful with new volunteers. Just her pleasant nature alone helps the new volunteers.
Hopefully Erin knows how appreciated she is for all she does. Much of this work wouldn't get done without her!
June 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Kim Murdock
Kim is one of those volunteers that I hate to think of how things would be without her. I hesitate to think of what things were like before she came along and I would hate to think of how they would be if she ever left! Even though Kim started out at MaxFund with the intention of walking dogs, she ultimately decided it was the cats that needed her attention more - and attention they have received indeed! She spends countless hours petting and comforting the cats - especially those in the wellness center who don't receive as many visitors as other parts of the shelter. Kim writes almost all of the cat bios and takes almost all of the photos of the cats for the website and works tirelessly to bring the cats more attention and adoptions. She pets the cats, recognizes when they need more attention and affection and socializing. She also helps them receive the medical care they need by paying much closer attention to their individual traits than most have the time to and helping recognize potential problems before they become serious.
In addition to helping out at the shelter, Kim also helps familiarize new volunteers with the cats by teaching the Cat Handling 101 part of the orientation, as well as serving as a volunteer mentor to all volunteers interested in helping with the cats.
Thanks Kim for all you do for MaxFund! The cats send a big loud purr out in your direction!
May 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Tami Tanoue
Tami is an amazing volunteer, and we could write pages on how much she contributes to the MaxFund. In fact, she was nominated for volunteer of the month by multiple volunteers and even staff.
Tami handles the dog handling portion of new volunteer orientation. Her wit and knowledge help new volunteers feel comfortable and excited about walking dogs. She also designed and teaches the Lobby Greeter training, which is a
very important class. In addition to helping with classes, Tami is extremely helpful with new volunteers. She always has a smile and a minute to explain things to those who aren't "in the know" yet.
Tami also fosters many animals, sets up appointments with prospective adopters and gives staff the input concerning these potential pet parents. She brings food for staff and other volunteers and she donates constantly, whether it is toys for dogs, dog food, money or a tag machine. Tami has also been extremely helpful with mobile adoption events. For example, just recently she helped with the pet expo and helped to make sure we had dogs and cats represented. Whether it is at the shelter or outside events, MaxFund can always count on Tami to step up, contribute and make things go well.
Tami is a huge asset for MaxFund and she is appreciated by the humans and furries alike! Thank you, Tami, for all you do!
April 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Janice Baker
Since becoming a volunteer at MaxFund, Janice has become a huge asset to the organization. She loves the cats, interacts with them (even some of the more difficult ones) and does everything she can to help them get adopted. Realizing that the cats in the clinic have little chance for adoption on the weekends (since the clinic is closed), Janice became a lobby greeter. On Saturdays, she consistently escorts people to the clinic, so those cats get a chance for adoption.
Janice was also instrumental in designing a new system to identify why cats are in cages. New volunteers have no idea why a cat is in a cage, and they don't know if the cats are allowed to free roam or not. Janice designed a cage card that tells volunteers why a cat is in the cage and if a cat can come out to stretch and fee roam. This new system is great for not only volunteers, but also staff. With this system, more cats will have a chance to leave their cages occasionally.
Janice has also begun to help with the cat bios. With so many cats, it became difficult to keep the web constantly updated. With Janice's help, we're getting more cats on the web.
Finally, Janice volunteers on the marketing committee. She has written press releases, and she worked hard to help MaxFund generate money from the sale of Avalanche tickets on February 14. She stepped up to run this event, and it was a great success.
Janice has become indispensible in such a short time. Thank you Janice for all you do!
March 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Ed Dahlgren
Ed has been a long time volunteer at the MaxFund. He comes in regularly and works with some of the more difficult dogs. Sometimes Ed picks animals up from other shelters and takes them home until they are ready for the MaxFund. He also constantly opens up his own home as a foster family for some dogs that aren't adjusting well
at the shelter.
Ed is also involved with the Champs program. He was an active member of the Tech Committee while that committee existed. With his great computer knowledge, he also figured out how we can add new products to the zootoo.com website, which has allowed all of us to accumulate more points. He alone has already accumulated 10,671 points! He has a sincere passion for animals and spends a lot of his time sharing his passion with MaxFund! In addition, his personality and humor make volunteering at the shelter all the more enjoyable!
Thank you Ed for all that you do.
February 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Lindsay St Antoine
Lindsay is an energetic and dedicated volunteer. In November, Lindsay held a fundraising event that she coordinated and marketed on her own. It was the first time this event had ever been held, and it included a silent auction, a raffle for Frontier Airlines tickets and an art sale. This event raised roughly $4500!!!! This was a phenomenal success for any event, let alone a first time event put together by one person.
Lindsay also contributes around the shelter. In particular, she is a dedicated feral cat volunteer. Not many volunteers spend time with the feral cats, but Lindsay loves these guys. She helps to make sure cats that are not feral get moved out into other rooms where they get exposure and have a chance for adoption. This is an incredibly important role. Lindsay was also helpful is re-writing the bios for the feral cats.
Thank you Lindsay for your hard work and dedication!
January 2008 Volunteer of the Month - Bill Brown
Bill is a long time dog walker. He focuses on the dogs who aren't as socialized and don't get as many walks. He comes in every Sunday and takes out as many dogs as possible, usually getting 5 dogs out for a long walk! During those especially harsh months last winter, he was one of the few walkers who took the large size dogs out on the icy streets, so they could get out of the shelter.
The dogs at MaxFund are lucky to have Bill. We volunteers are also very lucky. In December 2006, Bill created a custom computer program to log the volunteer hours. He designed it specifically for the MaxFund. In the past, volunteers logged their hours in a notebook. Often, pages from the notebook would disappear, and we had to manually tabulate our hours. Then, someone would have to manually enter in all volunteer hours, which took a lot of time but was necessary for grants. With Bill's new system, hundreds of MaxFund volunteers have registered their hours with ease. It is saving us a great deal of time and labor.
Thank you Bill for all you do!
December Volunteer of the Month - Karen Bevan
Karen organized and led the first annual MaxFund golf tournament to benefit the MaxFund rehab range. Although this was a new event, it raised a resounding $5700! That is amazing! Karen was a huge reason why it was so successful. The event involved getting sponsors, players and donations and giving away prizes, making it fun for golders, etc. With such a big event, Karen worked hard for months. Without her, this event would not have been such a huge success.
She also volunteers countless hours at the shelter, helping out with the animals and helping with other events throughout the year.
Thank you Karen for all your hard work!
November Volunteer of the Month - Cindy Jarrell
Cindy Jarrell is an outstanding, long-term volunteer at the MaxFund. Through her efforts with mobile adoptions, Cindy has single-handedly gotten over 500 cats adopted! Cindy coordinates adoptions at PetsMart, so she chooses the cats and looks after their well-being while they are on-site. She also works many other events each week, including the Belmar Farmer's Market, so our cats get a chance to find a home. Hundreds of cats can thank Cindy for being such a tireless and committed cat lover. In fact, many people probably think Cindy works at the MaxFund, because she is there so often.
Cindy also is a dedicated foster mom. She has taken in many cats to allow them to heal and find other homes. She has also taken in older cats, so they can live out their last days in a special home. Thanks to Cindy, many cats have gotten a second chance on life.
Thank you Cindy for your dedication and love of cats. The MaxFund is lucky to have you.
October Volunteer of the Month - Donna Cashen!
Donna is a dream volunteer and a true lover of all of MaxFund’s creatures. She has proven to be an invaluable volunteer in the Wellness Center. She takes the animals, especially the older and injured ones, out of their cages and spends quality time with them. She lets them play in the office, brushes them and loves them. She has a lap that the cats adore. Some of these animals, especially the cats, have no opportunity to get out of their cages. Because Donna takes them to the clinic office, they get a chance to roam free and enjoy life a little bit.
Donna is always thinking about what’s best for the animals. She will wrap up the ones who just got out of surgery and hold them. She buys food and special supplies for those animals that need it. Everything that she does is for the animals. She has a common sense approach and adds light whenever she is around. You’d think Donna works at the clinic given how often she is there. She was also the reason the clinic was able to start the yard. Of course, Donna is also great with humans. She is friendly and helpful to other volunteers and adds a loving presence.
Thank you Donna!
September Volunteer of the Month - Eva Keleti!
Eva is an amazing volunteer. She volunteers in the Champs program working with some of MaxFund longer term dogs. She is wonderful and loving with them, and she handles some of the more challenging ones. Although Eva initially intended to only work with the dogs, she has become a wonderful cat advocate. Each week after walking the dogs, she plays with and brushes the cats in the lobby and Incoming Room. She takes particular interest in some of the older and scared cats. She also works to get cats put on the foster list.
Eva is also a great resource regarding cats. She has her own FIV cats, so she is able to teach cat volunteers about FIV. With greater knowledge, more volunteers can help get the FIV cats adopted and stop people from being nervous about them. She also teaches volunteers and staff how to handle scared cats. Her knowledge and resources have been invaluable for the cats. Additionally, she participates in brainstorming and actions to get older cats adopted and feral cats socialized.
MaxFund is lucky to have Eva. Thank you Eva!
August Volunteer of the Month - Cindy Engle!
Cindy is a fantastic volunteer who cares so deeply for all our animals, especially the dogs. While spending tireless hours at the shelter working with the dogs, walking them and caring for them, she helps with their emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. In additional to doing the traditional walking, she brings new ideas to the shelter (such as flower essences and oils) to help the animals’ emotional and spiritual health. She brings them peace, love, health and common sense.
She also is a pleasure for those of us that are two-legged. She laughs a lot and brings a great perspective to all of us. The dogs and humans at MaxFund are better off because Cindy decides to volunteer at the shelter. Thank you Cindy!!!
July Volunteer of the Month - Ken Mann!
Ken has put in countless hours working with the MaxFund dogs and the MaxFund Champs program for the several years he has been volunteering with MaxFund, and really deserves a pat on the back. He has worked with a lot of our more challenging-to-adopt animals, such as Molly Dharma and even helped Molly transition into her new home with my good friend, Kirk! He has not signed off on Molly and even visits her on occasion in her new home. In addition to helping with the dogs he also put in a number of hours into the recent Motorcycle Run with motorcycle-friendly.com, not only with helping plan and organize but helping publicize the event and helping the event run smoothly! One of Kens nominators wrote: "Ken was among the first of many friendly, loving and fun loving people that I knew I would just look up, or round the corner, and there they'd be, working and laughing and sharing knowledge and reassurance." Another nominator wrote "The amount of time and effort Ken put into this event was phenomenal, all the while keeping up his obligations to the MaxFund and the CHAMPS Program, and still finding time to visit, walk and baby sit "his girl", Molly Dharma. As a result, the entire event came off as one of the most well organized, generously supplied and fun motorcycle-centered fund-raisers in the area."
Thanks again for all your hard work, Ken!
June Volunteer of the Month - Coco Wham!
Coco's a very dedicated young volunteer! Even though she is only 13 years old, she spearheaded the campaign to get MaxFund on Extreme Makeover. She got 1652 petition signatures, and she created a video to send to the show. She's also been working with Carter & Highnoon productions on a TV show to remodel the nurses station. She had to interact with adults who sometimes did not have time to help. But she was persistent. She also came up with the emergency sticker idea, and pursued it diligently to a point where Matt could then pick it up and provide a professional finish. Coco can be seen almost every weekend at the MaxFund. She plays with cats, helps in the office and does anything asked of her.
Thank you Coco!
May Volunteer of the Month - Anne Huddle!
Anne took over the position of Foster Coordinator to place harder to adopt pets in homes. Since taking over, Anne has been vigilant about getting people to open their homes to our loving dogs and cats that otherwise might die at the shelter. For example, Dominic is an older cat with a thyroid problem who mostly sleeps. Most people who saw him in his cage felt sorry for him, but no one wanted to take him home. Anne found him a foster mom, and when the foster mom brought him back, Anne didn’t give up. She found him another home where he sleeps and gets the love he deserves in his old age. The dogs (including Sterling, Kodiak, Ariel, James, Valentino and Rusty) as well as the cats (including Kara, Benson, Estrellita, Dominic, Maurice, Blackjack, Cobra, Autumn, Louie, and Isabella) thank you!
Thank you Anne!
Volunteer of the Month Nominations
Volunteers are an integral part of the MaxFund, and we are so thankful for all of you! You have contributed thousands of hours and allowed MaxFund to fulfill its mission. There are some whose efforts are particularly commendable, and we would like to recognize these people. Starting in April, we will celebrate and honor one volunteer each month for his/her exemplary contributions and good work.
Because the staff cannot always see all that volunteers do, we need your help in nominating volunteers. The nominations do not necessarily have to be based on time contributed. Rather, we need your help in recognizing people who go above and beyond, whether that’s clipping cat nails, walking around the neighborhood picking up dog poop, doing laundry for hours or any number of things. If you believe someone should be honored, please use the form below to nominate the person. A committee will choose the winner each month and winners will be posted!
