The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Mia Simpson is the recipient of the November 2008 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Mia Simpson, GRRA's November volunteer of the month! Mia has been involved with GRRA for approximately four years as both an adoption consultant and the chair of the Rescue Romp silent auction committee.

Mia became familiar with the golden retriever breed through a couple who were teammates on a co-ed softball team. Soon afterward, a golden retriever was found wandering around the softball field where the team played. Mia adopted Annie and nursed her through heartworm treatment. Annie is now 14 years old. Later, Mia was buying dog food at Pet Supplies Plus on a Sunday afternoon that just happened to be one of GRRA's Adoption Days. She took some information about GRRA and offered to volunteer.

Mia was initially assigned to the adoption consultant team where she volunteered for about 2 years. Mia has chaired the silent auction committee for the Rescue Romp for the past two years, adding structure and organization to the committee.

Most dogs who enter GRRA's program have had an unhappy life, and getting into the program is the last stop before a potentially unhappy ending. Mia enjoys seeing these loving dogs placed in good homes, knowing the families will experience unconditional love from the dogs. A golden retriever adds so much to a loving home environment, making life softer and gentler, and can teach children a lot about caring for others.

Thank you, Mia, for all you have done for GRRA! Mia would like to recognize her teammates on the silent auction committee, Judy Bloodworth and Susie Atcheson, for their hard work in gathering so many wonderful items for the silent auction, raising thousand of dollars that will be used to rescue more 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.