Volunteer stories
Judi first started volunteering with PAWS back in 2008 after reading an article about us in the Union Tribune. She had always wanted to give back to the community and wished to involve her daughter as well, and PAWS proved to be the perfect fit for them! Since then she and Sara have become a part of the PAWS family we couldn’t be more grateful to have had their support over the years.
Always proactive and willing to take on any project, whether it is new, old or challenging, Judi has helped with everything from the front desk to fundraising, even filling in for missed deliveries! Judi is always smiling and eager to help out in whatever capacity needed, which makes it easy to ask for her help with almost any project that comes up.
Judi also volunteers at Fiesta every year and recently helped immensely with the Senior Client Survey. Her continued dedication is an inspiration to new volunteers and office staff alike and we look forward to Fridays when we know she will be joining us at the office. Thank you, Judi, for everything you do for PAWS!
We all pick and choose what to do in our spare time. Some days are more productive than others, naturally. Well, this month, we would like to thank our volunteer of the month, Liz Aro, for seeking out PAWS San Diego and choosing to share her time and expertise with our organization.
Liz found PAWS in 2010. She had just finished fostering a Chihuahua which led her to decide she was ready to get a dog of her own. She then rescued Jojo, her now two year old Labrador mix, from Furry Friends of Poway. As a way to give back to the pet community Liz researched potential animal-related volunteer opportunities. She was drawn to PAWS because of our unique mission to help animals as well as their human companions.
It was an immediate fit and the first day Liz came to volunteer she knew she was in the right place. Linda Dimeglio was the volunteer coordinator at the time and her enthusiasm and spirit made a lasting impression on Liz. Starting as a receptionist, Liz became familiar with the day-to-day interactions of PAWS. She moved on to join the strategic planning committee and is currently on the communications committee while contributing to the monthly newsletter.
She has seen PAWS evolve as we have moved offices, added two office positions and been working toward a more collaborative effort to get things done. The addition of staff, board members and volunteers is allowing PAWS to cotinue to grow and Liz enjoys being a part of the journey. We are most grateful for the dedication and vision Liz has shared with the PAWS San Diego community.
This month PAWS would like to recognize Kathy Pickard for 5 years of consistent volunteer service.
Kathy started out volunteering for PAWS as a Client Interviewer. In-home client interviews enlightened her of the fact that “many clients are barely scraping by and living on the verge of poverty.” She found it a very humbling experience to witness the conditions under which many of our clients live. Inspired by this experience she truly takes the PAWS goal of “Helping pets. Helping people,” to heart.
These days, Kathy helps out as a Volunteer Delivery Driver delivering food to our clients every month. She enjoys her regular route and has connected with several of our dog-loving clients along the way, as she has a dog companion of her own, an 8 year old Golden Retriever by the name of Ginger.
Kathy understands that many clients find comfort in continuity and she was genuinely concerned about the possibility that some clients may be confused when another volunteer delivered their supplies last month while she was out with a broken ankle.”It’s rewarding when clients are happy to see me,” Kathy says, and she is relieved to report that her ankle is healing up well.
Thank you, Kathy, for your tireless support in carrying out PAWS San Diego’s mission!