Emily Keim

Our volunteers are essential to achieving our mission of keeping pets and people together. In this edition, we’d like to introduce you to Shontel. You are probably already very familiar with Shontel’s words, as she has been contributing to our newsletter for years, typically the incredibly helpful articles about national pet related months. Thank you, Shontel, for all that you do in supporting Harley’s Hope Foundation!  

What motivates you to serve as a volunteer?

I believe it is important to give back in any way you can, so I try to dedicate at least a little of my free time to various organizations. Giving my time, labor, and skills to causes that mean a lot to me is one way I connect to my community.

What brought you/keeps you as a volunteer for HHF?

I found HHF through a volunteer website and was drawn to the mission of keeping people and pets together. I have always had pets and would be devastated to lose one because of an emergency situation or temporary financial difficulties. Seeing photos and hearing stories of the families we have helped keep their pets through difficult times keeps me coming back.

What is one thing that volunteering has taught you?

I think the most important thing I’ve learned is that no contribution is too small. It’s fantastic if someone can dedicate hours every week to a cause, but that’s not always realistic. When everyone just gives what they can, we can accomplish a lot together.

Dogs or cats?

That is an impossible question. I’ve had both throughout my life and currently have a cat named Oswald. When I’m petting a dog, dogs are my favorite; when I have a cat in my lap, cats are my favorite.