The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Dick Evelyn is the recipient of the April 2008 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Dick joined GRRA in 2003 and has supported GRRA with his time and resources ever since. Dick has been a faithful volunteer in several areas for GRRA, but his favorite is being part of the taxi retriever team. In this role, Dick transports dogs from point A to point B. He will often pick up dogs who are entering the program and drive them to Murphyville in Rutledge, GA, drive them to and from vet clinics, or to their foster homes. While Dick enjoys the people he meets through GRRA, he especially enjoys interacting with the dogs while transporting them all over Atlanta. After a long ride with a dog, Dick develops a bond with it and finds that saying "goodbye" is sometimes difficult.

Dick's favorite experience with GRRA involved a dog placed in a home in his neighborhood. Almost immediately, the dog ran away and was missing for several months. She was later found by construction workers in a sewer and rescued by fire fighters. Dick was called to take her to a vet for a check-up. The dog not only smelled like she had been in a sewer, she almost doubled her weight while she was missing in action!

Dick enjoys participating in many of GRRA's events, especially the hikes. His fourth golden retriever, Casey, will be 7 years old this summer. Thank you, Dick, for being a dedicated volunteer and making it possible for GRRA to rescue so many dogs!

Lori Kauffman, who passed away in 2007, was a GRRA™ volunteer who wanted to ensure that GRRA™ continued to do its valuable work. Lori wanted people to know, "Dogs are not disposable. Having a dog is a lifelong commitment. They are an equal part of the family".

If you are aware of a volunteer's efforts that exemplify what is needed to make our volunteer organization survive and thrive, please send a note to volunteer@grra.com. Monthly Nominations are due by the 17th of each month. Click here to see previous award winners.