CLEVELAND, OH (August 8, 2016) – During its annual volunteer appreciation celebration on August 4th, the Cleveland Animal Protective League’s President & CEO Sharon Harvey announced the winners of the 2015 Volunteers of the Year award. Angela DeMuesy of Westlake, Tom Elias of Lakewood, Christine Gill of Cleveland, and Marilyn Sherman of Cleveland each received the prestigious award for their extraordinary volunteer service to the Cleveland APL and its animals.
Angela DeMuesy was recognized for helping animals who come to the Cleveland APL in rough shape put their best paw forward through her bathing and grooming efforts. Dogs that are dirty, matted and not just a little bit stinky are her specialty. She transforms their life and their look with her loving care. She doesn’t mind getting wet or dirty herself if a dog needs a makeover!
Tom Elias was recognized for all that he does for the APL and our animals–from dog walking, to adoptions at the shelter and offsite, to foster care, to transport of our animals, to helping with our special events, and working in our development office. Tom is someone who can take on a volunteer assignment and run with it, even helping to train and supervise other volunteers.
Christine Gill was recognized for her long-standing commitment to cats at the Cleveland APL. A homeless cat who may get overlooked on our adoption floor has no better advocate than Christine. She is an expert matchmaker for our adopters and our cats, and she is a patient and knowledgeable mentor for new volunteers coming into our program. She also helps and advocates for many stray and feral cats through our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.
Marilyn Sherman was recognized for her foster care efforts. From kittens who just need to gain weight, to bottle baby neonate puppies and kittens who need feeding every couple of hours, to long-term adult animals, Marilyn takes on whatever animal needs her without hesitation. Marilyn will return animals ready for adoption and ask for more to take home that day!
Upon further reflection after her award, Christine shared “To be recognized as an advocate for homeless animals and an ambassador for an organization I admire so deeply is the greatest honor I could ever receive. I do what I can as a volunteer, because I have a passion for animal welfare and I can’t not help. But what could I (or any of the other volunteers) do on my own? I am grateful for the Cleveland APL for providing the opportunities for me to help. It is truly a case of, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” and I consider myself lucky to be part of that “whole” at the Cleveland APL.”
In all, 979 volunteers helped to change the world for Cleveland’s homeless animals in 2015 by contributing over 99,222 hours – the equivalent of 48 full-time employees. For more information about joining the Cleveland APL volunteer team, contact Volunteer Manager Danielle Begalla at 216-377-1627 or dbegalla@64.225.16.234.
