National Volunteer Week (April 6-12) - Meet the weekend warriors

"Volunteering is defined as an altruistic activity that is intended to promote goodness or improve quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual.” National Volunteer Week (April 6-12, 2014) is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank Canada’s 13.3 million volunteers.

Where would SAINTS be without the weekend warriors? This dedicated team of individuals comes together in their choice of animals as the recipient for their endless stream of good deeds and their giving natures. Weekends are spend cleaning, feeding, caring for, and of course, cuddling. What better way to recognize this team than for SAINTS supporters near and far to read about them, gaining insight into who they are and what they find so rewarding about volunteering.

It takes a small army of volunteers to keep saints running and to care for our over 100 senior and special needs animals. Each day this week we will be featuring a few of these very special and hard working individuals.

Here are our first two features - one of saints first volunteers, Mo and one of saints newest volunteers, Anne.

Mo has been at SAINTS for 9 years loving everything about this amazing place after answering a request from Carol looking for volunteers. Besides being a great barn volunteer and an utter asset to SAINTS, Mo enjoys walking her own dogs, BBQs with friends, and preparing for retirement. Her happiness at SAINTS comes from knowing the animals are safe and happy. Everyone at SAINTS know that MO makes Tina very happy every weekend. It is quite the sight to see little Tina all cuddled in Mo’s coat being brought back to the house only to be transported through the sunroom’s window to come home. It is a whole new meaning to “drive thru!” Mo says she has way too many memorable moments to choose just one to talk about and perhaps she could write a book? Hmmm….sounds like a plan with that upcoming retirement, hey everyone? The hard part for Mo is when an animal she really loves hits the “wall” and it’s not age related. “Like Spritely, if it wasn’t for her bum hoof, she would still be out in the fields, glimmering in the sunshine.” Sadness aside, Mo keeps coming back because of the animals. When asked about one animal that has touched her heart, she answered, “Seriously?” Again after nine years at SAINTS, there are just way too many to list! Mo sums up SAINTS in one word- AMAZING!

Anne might be one of our most recent volunteers, but her skills have been quickly improving the “appearances” of our SAINTly friends. Anne comes to volunteer on Saturdays using her grooming skills and knowledge to make our furry friends even cuter! Anne’s initiation to SAINTS was a small bite from a little dog with a very big personality (no names will be mentioned *wink)! But that didn’t stop Anne from coming back. She believes that what she does at SAINTS makes a difference and enjoys using her skills to make the dogs more comfortable. Furthermore, she admires people like Carol and in Anne’s words, “ I love the fact that there are people like Carol who are willing to make extreme sacrifices in order to give discarded and abused animals the love and compassion they deserve. These kinds of people who make their own sacrifices balance out the cruelty and negativity in the world. I am rewarded by playing a tiny part in this endeavor.” Anne’s three words for SAINTS? Committed, Hard Working and Caring. Anne not only enjoys volunteering but also motorcycles, yoga, hiking, music, and movies. Furthermore, Anne fosters animals through the SPCA and found out about SAINTS via her boxer, Renny. Renny was in Anne’s foster care through the SCPA which was passing this boxer into Carol’s care. Rather than disrupting Renny’s life and Anne’s love for her foster dog remained in his home and permanent foster care. What a win/win situation!

Stay tuned all week as we continue to feature some of our incredible volunteers.

We are always looking for committed and hardworking animal lovers to come lend a hand on the weekend. We are currently looking for people with barn experience to help with grooming and cleaning the barns on the weekends. Must be 16 years of age or accompanied by an adult. For more information please see: http://www.saintsrescue.ca/helping/volunteer.htm or email volunteer@saintsrescue.ca