The Humane Society of Chittenden County honored eight local residents for their tireless support of -- and unwavering dedication to -- the prevention of animal suffering in our community. The Awards, presented at the 2010 Annual Celebration, recognize the 2010 individual contributions for the Youth Volunteer of the Year, Adult Volunteer of the Year, the Alice Van Buren Foster Parent of the Year, Community Partner Award, the Veterinary Partner Award, the Staff Member of the Year, the Staff 5-Year Continual Service Award and the coveted June Davis Award.
Molly Pizer of South Burlington was presented the 2010 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. Over the past year, Molly has consistently and diligently provided afternoon care, volunteered at numerous social events and offered cat socialization. Molly has set a personal goal of reaching 500 volunteer hours, and once accomplished, plans on doing it again.
Megan Stearns, HSCC Volunteer Coordinator commented, “Molly’s love for the shelter, fascination with animals, and willingness to do the dirty works makes her an exemplary volunteer. Her affable, cooperative nature makes her a bright point in my day each time she pops into my office.”
Rich Hammer of Burlington received the 2010 Adult Volunteer of the Year. Rick helps with the extremely important and time-consuming job of transporting animals to their vet appointments, and always returns with a thorough recounting of the veterinarian’s instructions. Rick’s contribution enables the shelter’s Medical Supervisor to offer uninterrupted care to the animals at who need her.
In recognizing Rick’s outstanding contribution, Megan Stearns, HSCC Volunteer Coordinator stated, “Rick not only handles this responsibility, he always offers to do more if we need more. He is flexible and accommodating to our fluctuating schedule, and we are grateful for his selfless and tireless service to our shelter!”
Deborah Edwards of Williston was awarded the 2010 Alice Van Buren Foster Care Award. Debbie has been a foster parent for HSCC since 2004. Foster parents provide a home for animals that are too young or too sick to stay at the shelter. It is a difficult job, but tremendously important for HSCC.
Chuck Pizer, HSCC Development Director, commented, “Debbie is recognized for her deep and lasting commitment to some of the most vulnerable animals that come our way. She has demonstrated love, compassion and extraordinary dedication.”
Kelly and Ian Schulze, and their business Mountain Dog Photography of Bristol, were the recipient of the 2010 Community Partner Award. Each and every Thursday, Kelly and Ian capture the souls of our animals and create the animal profiles that make their way to our website, adoption books, and our appeals. Their contribution has refined HSCC’s publications, promoted our work, and professionalized our communications.
Chuck Pizer, HSCC Development Director, in presenting the award commented “Kelly and Ian have shared the faces and stories of our residents with the community. And, they have played an unquestionable role in helping more animals find forever homes.”
Dr Peggy Larson and Kathee Ludwig of the Colchester Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic received the 2010 Veterinary Partner of the Year Award. For more than 20 years, this Veterinarian partner has been a major player in the efforts to save the lives of animals in our community. With more than 60,000 feline spay/neuter surgeries to their credit, they have prevented the birth of thousands and thousands of kittens who would have come into this world without the homes they need to be loved and cared for.
Allison Stark, HSCC Shelter Manager stated, “Their no frills, high quality, high volume approach to feline spay/neuter has met a tremendous need, and provided a real and do-able answer to what can be done about feline overpopulation.”
Voted by her peers, JoAnn Nichols of Burlington was honored as HSCC’s 2010 Staff Member of the Year. This award recognizes the contributions, accomplishments and dedication of one HSCC staffer in particular who has exhibited exemplary hard work and commitment to the Humane Society’s mission. JoAnn, HSCC’s Humane Investigator & Educator, goes into the community and helps make sure all animals are treated humanely and compassionately.
Allison Stark, HSCC Shelter Manager, commented, “JoAnn knows exactly how to talk with, comfort and calm the numerous animals and people she encounters. Her experience and vast knowledge has made a tremendous impact on animal welfare in our community.”
Amanda Parham, HSCC Operation Assistant, was recognized for 5 years of continual service. As a first time award, it was recognized that this is a truly a stressful job. The work at HSCC is wonderful but not glamorous, rewarding but not monetarily, gratifying because you are pursuing your passion and, at times, frustrating to see how some animals have been treated.
Renee Reiner, HSCC Board President noted, “Amanda can do anything, and is the “go-to” person for any type of quandary. Her impact over the past five years has been enormous. Here’s hoping for fve more!”
The highest honor that the Humane Society bestows -- the June Davis Award, named for our modern day founder -- was awarded to Alice Van Buren of Charlotte. For more than a decade, this award has been presented to some of the most dedicated and giving individuals in our community. Alice has adopted and fostered hundreds of animals, and the standard she set led HSCC to name its Foster Care Award in her honor. Additionally, Alice is among our most stalwart, generous and reliable donators, making whatever contribution she’s able when a critical need arises or when an animal’s success or future depends on it.
Renee Reiner, HSCC Board President stated, “Having adopted more than her share of animals with complicated medical and health issues, and having fostered literally hundreds of animals, Alice Van Buren operates a virtual “satellite location” for HSCC!”
Tom Ayres, new President and CEO commented, “The Humane Society of Chittenden County congratulates these outstanding individuals. And, as an organization, is truly grateful and honored to have scores of people who respond to the needs of the animals that come into the shelter’s care.”
Founded in 1901, the Humane Society of Chittenden County is an independent, private, nonprofit, animal welfare and human services organization. The HSCC serves Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties and each year welcomes 750 -1,000 animals, and some 15,000 people, to its Animal Care and Adoption facility on Kindness Court in South Burlington, Vermont. The HSCC receives no state or federal funding and carries out its mission of fostering compassionate treatment of animals and preventing animal suffering exclusively through program revenue and the generosity of individual and corporate donors.
