Humane Society of Sumter County Volunteer of the Month – March 2025: Cheryl Lightcap
We are thrilled to recognize Cheryl Lightcap once again as her commitment to the shelter is extraordinary. She is our March 2025 Volunteer of the Month. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cheryl grew up with a deep love for animals, often caring for dogs adopted from shelters or found on the streets. Today, she shares her home with two cats, Mia and Quincy, both adopted from the Humane Society of Sumter County. Mia, adopted as an energetic inquisitive kitten always busy into everything, reminded Cheryl of her granddaughter Amelia, has kept her on her toes just as much, while Quincy, a former barn cat, has blossomed into a loving companion after finding his forever home with Cheryl.
Cheryl is passionate about helping animals reach their full potential. She shares, “spending time with the cats and helping them find their forever homes is incredibly gratifying.” Her dedication to the lifesaving work of the Humane Society of Sumter County goes far beyond adoption events; she also assists with organizing monthly food drives, reviewing adoption applications, and improving volunteer systems. Cheryl’s role in coordinating offsite adoption events at our adoption partner stores PetSmart and Petsense, her work with foster homes, and her unwavering support for the shelter’s mission has made a huge impact on our shelter’s effectiveness. In short, Cheryl is a dynamo!
One of Cheryl’s most memorable experiences was working with a cat who had been hit by a car and required a leg amputation. Watching the cat grow from fearful and shut down to finding a loving home was a powerful reminder of the difference we can make in an animal’s life. She said it best explaining “being able to spend time with animals and receive their unwavering love and devotion is special. Helping a frightened and shut down animal find their confidence brings lightness to your soul.” Cheryl is committed to ensuring each cat has the chance to thrive.
We are incredibly grateful to have Cheryl as a part of our volunteer family. Her time, energy, and compassion are exceptional and inspirational to us all. If you’re interested in volunteering and making a difference, simply complete a volunteer application at https://hsspca.org/apply-to-volunteer/ and complete a brief orientation so you can begin helping in a range of ways such as animal care, fundraising, administrative, adoption events and more. Be part of our lifesaving work at the Humane Society of Sumter County!
Thank you, Cheryl, for your dedication to the Humane Society of Sumter County. You make our community a better place to live for pets and their people!
