I've been volunteering since I was in high school - I did every walk-a-thon, read-a-thon and bowl-a-thon they had. It made me feel good and I felt like what I did made a difference. I also started visiting older folks in an aparment building back then and discovered I like old folk!

I've also donated blood for the past 20+ years. Over the years I've delivered meals, made quilts for the needy, helped at various church groups as needed, taught at bike rodeos, and found a niche 8 years ago after I trained my 2 dogs as pet therapy dogs. We have been visiting nursing homes 2x a month for a long time and I enjoy sharing my love of dogs with the shut ins. It simply gives me pleasure to share the attention of my pet with others who no longer have there's.

I have found our passions in life can change. I try and marry my passion with a need in the community - that way we both win.