NEWS

CCHS Volunteer Reaches 4,000 Volunteer Hours

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (November 13, 2013) – Chautauqua County Humane Society volunteer, Joyce Shelters, was the recipient of a Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Service Award this past October for her service working at the shelter through the Chautauqua County RSVP. The award came with a letter signed by President Barack Obama and is awarded to individuals serving over 4,000 volunteer hours in their community.  The amount of 4,000 hours represents working two years full time.

“We’re honored to have such a dedicated group of volunteers and supporters here at the shelter,” said Sue Bloom, Volunteer Coordinator for CCHS. “Joyce has always gone above and beyond and we are thrilled that she has been recognized with this honor,” said Bloom. Shelters is a volunteer through the Chautauqua County RSVP program and has been working at CCHS for a little over three years. She was one of only two people to receive this award through Chautauqua County RSVP in 2013.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize valuable contributions volunteers make across the country on an annual basis. The award was created as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. The Chautauqua County RSVP program works in conjunction with the Council to document the service hours for registered volunteers in the community and determine which individuals can receive an award.

“I do this to support the animals,” said Joyce Shelters, volunteer for CCHS. “And I want to help promote the volunteer opportunities available here. We need help now more than ever,” she said. CCHS offers many volunteer opportunities to individuals or groups including dog walking, foster care, animal cleaning, shelter maintenance, thrift store sorting, special events money drives and more.

For more information on the Chautauqua County Humane Society or to learn about available volunteer opportunities, visit www.spcapets.com or call 716-665-2209 ext. 205.

The mission of the Chautauqua County Humane Society is to promote the adoption of animals, prevent all forms of animal cruelty and neglect, shelter lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and to provide education about the humane treatment of animals.