Our thanks to Former HWAH Vice President Harriette Sackler (on the right in the photo) for her reflections on our wonderful recent volunteer appreciation event. As Harriett details so well, volunteers are an integral part of keeping our mission alive and thriving!
HWAH VOLUNTEERS: YOU ARE VALUED!
Earlier this month, House with a Heart celebrated its volunteers at an Appreciation Celebration at the Sanctuary. The event featured so many of the folks who donate their time to making HWAH the wonderful place it is. A plethora of delicious food brought by the guests, along with an atmosphere of camaraderie and common purpose, made the gathering a festive one.
Almost twenty years ago when the Sanctuary was in its infancy, I joined Sher as her Vice President, a life choice that changed my life. There was so much to do to ensure that the growing number of residents were well taken care of and funds were available to accommodate the services necessary to give the senior animals the best life. Since part of my full-time profession has been to manage a volunteer program for a large residential treatment center for children and adolescents and to develop fundraising initiatives, I suggested to Sher that she consider those programs at the Sanctuary. At first, she wasn’t terribly enthusiastic, since she didn’t think anyone would be interested in participating. But I told her she was wrong! There certainly would be folks who would love to spend time with the seniors and help enrich their lives. And I was able to overcome her objections. And look at HWAH now!
Even though I no longer play an active part at the Sanctuary, it was a joy to visit with Sher and old friends, and meet volunteers who donate their time now, undertaking a wide variety of tasks to serve the fur babies and assist Sher in providing love and care to them. Each volunteer present had the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about the tasks they performed. Most gave individual attention to the furbabies, which now not only include pups and kitties, but guinea pigs and rabbits as well! They clean, both inside and out, administer medications, transport residents to medical appointments, do laundry, and perform so many other tasks. What a wonderful and dedicated group of people they are!
I have to admit that as happy as the day was, it did leave me teary. I couldn’t help but remember that day, so many years ago, when Sher and I looked over the Stairway to Heaven—the photos of all the precious residents who had crossed the Bridge—and she turned to me and said, “We Done Good.”
Harriette Sackler
Former Vice President
House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary