The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Alison Schlenger is the recipient of the March 2010 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Alison Schlenger, our March Volunteer of the Month! Alison became involved in GRRA 10 years ago after she and her husband, Hal, had adopted a dog from GRRA. Alison wanted a second dog, but Hal wasn't ready for another dog. The compromise was to foster dogs. Ten years and sixty dogs later, Alison and Hal now have two dogs of their own and continue to foster other dogs.

Alison has a deep down passionate love of golden retrievers as well as a passion for serving humanity. Alison and Hal have fostered three litters of puppies as well as adult dogs, and Alison has performed home checks. Last summer, they fostered Sarah and her two week-old litter of puppies.

Alison enjoys volunteering for GRRA because she knows that because she fostered a dog and saw it placed in a home that two holes have been filled, the hole in the dog's heart and the hole in the family adopting the dog. People have asked Alison how she is able to keep giving up the dogs she has fostered. Alison feels that by continuing to give up dogs she is making space for the next one.

Alison is shown in the photo above holding the GRRA banner at the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade. Hal is shown in the photo to the right.

Thank you, Alison, for all you do 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.