The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Marla Albitz is the recipient of the August 2009 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Marla Albitz, our August Volunteer of the Month! Marla is a foster mentor for GRRA. She became involved with GRRA when she adopted Joanie, now known as Abbey, in 2005. Abbey gave birth to the Disney puppies that found homes through GRRA.

Marla volunteered as a foster for several years and fostered about 7 dogs. She then began channeling her foster experience in a new direction as a foster mentor. Marla finds it very rewarding to orient a new foster and follow-up with the foster to find the fostering experience was so enjoyable that the foster wants to continue fostering other dogs.

In addition to the dogs who need homes, other volunteers, such as Elizabeth Laney, who volunteer tirelessly for GRRA inspire Marla to continue volunteering. Marla finds it rewarding to look at the pictures of all the who dogs who have found homes through GRRA and to see the impact that a group of people working together can have. No one can have that type of impact working alone.

Prior to fostering and being a foster mentor, Marla updated the GRRA website, posting stories and pictures of dogs looking for homes. Marla is pictured above with Jessie, the golden who taught her that she always wanted a golden in her life, inspired her to adopt Joanie, and ultimately to volunteer for GRRA. Thank you, Marla, for all you have done for GRRA and the 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.