As February is symbolic of love and full hearts, one person we can surely think of to be recognized as our February Volunteer of the Month this year is Donna Curcio. She is someone who came to help as her heart was full of love for animals, so she fit right in with our organization.
Donna grew up in Long Island, NY with both dogs and cats in her family and she continued with a house of many beloved feline family members now who were all rescued by her and her husband Paul. Their original four fab felines consist of Bella, their oldest Tuxedo kitty who, according to Donna “came to our back door during a hurricane and never left. She was our resident squatter.” They also have a big grey cat named Kitty, who tends to behave like the mama to all their cats. Donna explained that “if one cries, she goes running to see what’s up. She’s very sweet and loves attention.” But she can’t exclude her big boy Buddy, another Tuxedo, who is her only male cat in their clowder but a big baby always wanting Donna to carry him everywhere like a baby. Her shy girl, Sierra, is such a beautiful Tortoiseshell cat, Donna bragged that “she came in second place for a cat magazine cover!” As if this feline foursome wasn’t enough at home, Donna and her husband generously opened their home to foster for us too! They ultimately adopted the mama cat Candie, and two of her kittens, Cutie Pie and Baby Ruth who all acclimated beautifully to their other cats. Donna added that “we love them all and it’s a lot of fun watching and playing with them.” We think they have their very own Catty Shack!
Donna feels strongly about why it is so important to volunteer and help animals. She explained “every living animal has a right and a need to be loved and cared for and only we, as people, can provide that protection and opportunity for them. So even though they are only in my care for a short period of time, I love and care for them until they get their new family, who I hope does the same.” “Every living animal has a right and a need to be loved and cared for and only we, as people, can provide that protection and opportunity for them. So even though they are only in my care for a short period of time, I love and care for them until they get their new family, who I hope does the same.”
Encouraging people within her circles to volunteer is part of Donna’s life as she asks them to give just an hour or two each week. She explained how it makes her feel rewarded “when you see the gratitude on the animals’ faces. Just having you there can give you both a wonderful experience and make you feel loved and appreciated and it costs you nothing, but your time is priceless to them. Just try it once and I promise you’ll love it!”
Part of Donna’s joy came from a great memory of volunteering as a foster home. “My favorite experience was fostering Candie and her six kittens from the time they were a week old until they got adopted out. At the same time I had them, a hurricane was coming so the staff gave me four more to care for until the coast was clear. I had fifteen cats and kittens in my home all at once! What a hoot! It was like a romper room for cats!” We think she and her husband Paul are amazingly compassionate to help us help so many innocent lives in normal times and during a crisis. These are real Stormtroopers!
During “normal times” Donna volunteers with us in our Kitten Wonderland where she cares for, cleans, feeds, cuddles and plays with the kittens. She added that “I keep their world as happy and social as possible…so they get used to human handling. There is always something to do to help out at the shelter. The dogs need loving, walking and your time and attention too. Even the office staff need assistance from time to time. Please come on down and check out YOUR HSSPCA and consider volunteering. It’ll change your world for the better. I know, it did mine.” And this is why we recognize Donna as our February Volunteer of the Month. She’s someone with such a giving heart willing to love deserving animals who are eager to give their own unconditional love. We appreciate you, Donna!
If you are interested in enriching YOUR life by becoming a volunteer with us, complete an application online at https://hsspca.org/apply-to-volunteer/. Contact YOUR Humane Society SPCA at volunteering@hsspca.org if you have any questions. There are many ways to help make a difference by becoming a volunteer with us so we encourage you to reach out and find out!
