Tuesday, when several Barry County employees were awarded Certificates of Appreciation

by Barry County Commissioners for their work at the county, Animal Shelter Director Ken Kirsch made an appreciation award of his own.

 

He introduced volunteer Barbara Scott, “who makes every day better that she is at the shelter.” Scott has volunteered since 2015, comes in every day, morning and afternoon, transports animals to and from the vet’s for treatment, keeps records of medications and instructions, attends special events like Trap, Neuter and Release days, Empty the Shelter days, adoption events and parades.

 

She is in charge of the shelter volunteers for the Barry Roubaix bicycle race in the spring and also during the Founders Fall Fondo. Scott has come to the shelter every single holiday since 2015, when the shelter is closed, to care for the cats and dogs, Kirsch said.

 

He nominated her for Volunteer of the Year at the recent volunteer awards ceremony by the Barry County United Way. She didn’t win that, but took home the “Whole Lot of Impact Award.'.

“She said she likes the work because no two days are alike…the duties in the a.m. are often different than the duties in the p.m.  She’s always there and willing to help.”

 

Turning to her, he said: “It is my pleasure to work with you...thank you for your support of the shelter.”  Scott volunteered 689 hours in 2018.

Scott thanked the commission for its support of the shelter. “I really appreciate the opportunity to volunteer at the shelter. It means a lot to me.”

Kirsch said later that Scott was “really surprised” because she had no idea he was going to do it.