Meet the May Volunteer of the Month!

Most volunteers come in to work as individuals but occasionally we have some couples that make their work here a joint effort.  In the case of the Goodfreds, the volunteering is done by the entire family!

Randy and daughter Bethany began in the spring of 2008. Bethany wanted to spend time with the animals and Randy wanted to spend time with his daughter. After six months, Michelle and Alexandra realized how much fun it was and began volunteering as well.  We are particularly fortunate because they have chosen to work with the cats and many weekends they can be found washing litter pans and cleaning the cat cages and rooms.

There are age restrictions on volunteering at the shelter but the family working together as the Goodfreds do is a wonderful way to involve the teenagers and parents in important work for the animals.  The values of service and volunteerism that the Goodfreds have are admirable.

The family knows cats well.  Besides the cats they care for at the shelter they have four cats at home. They have had Pepper and Bailey for a few years and recently adopted Charlie (pictured)and Coco.  The favorite thing for them when at the shelter is holding the baby kittens and seeing animals get adopted.

Work and school take a large amount of their time (Bethany’s a junior at Riverside and Alexandra is in 8th grade at DSA), but Randy said “we do occasionally get to do fun things as a family. We recently went to New Orleans for a wedding and spent a few days in the French Quarter and even made it to Avery Island where Tabasco Sauce is made.”

We are so grateful that helping the animal shelter is also one of their family activities and we are pleased to honor Randy, Michelle, Bethany and Alexandra as May’s Volunteer (Family!) of the Month!