Leslie and Bridgit
Let’s all congratulate Leslie D as SAFE’s October Volunteer of the Month!
Leslie was recruited to SAFE through another volunteer (thank you Erika!!) and we are so lucky to have her. She has a weekly chore shift and will pick up as many others as she can when other volunteers need time off. She helped out tirelessly through the summer doing both a morning and afternoon shift during a time when we were exceptionally low on volunteers. She has volunteered for special work projects like organizing, straightening, and hanging all the horses blankets. Leslie also was a superstar at the SAFE Benefit Horse Show in August! She helped with whatever and wherever she was needed. One of the things we love best about her is her tenacity. She had no solid horse knowledge before volunteering at SAFE. Which only seems to motivate her to learn more and do more to be the better horse person.
Thank you, Leslie, for all that you do! More about Leslie in her own words…
About me: I spent 30+ years in the financial industry, then left to do occasional contract work. Mostly, though, I write the occasional blog, paint funky abstract watercolors and volunteer in a variety of areas. In addition to SAFE, I also do a little volunteering in the Edmonds art community and for my women’s group, American Association of University Women (AAUW), plus a few one-offs here and there.
I’ve been volunteering at SAFE since late January, 2014. I love animals but would be the crazy cat lady if I volunteered at a small animal shelter. There was an old mare down the road I used to visit when I walked and I was sad when she passed. Shortly after that, Erika Springer told me what she was doing with SAFE and I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with animals I wouldn’t be able to bring home. I was a little scared at first, since I had little experience with horses, but I’ve loved learning how to work with them. Each week I get a little more comfortable and hope to continue to do so.
It would be hard to pick a favorite SAFE Horse since I’m quite fond of them all. Each horse has his or her own personality and interacting with all of them is quite fun. I love that Finn is so laid back and that Stella is so sweet. I love that Phoenix is such a goof and that Lucky and Emmy are comfortable letting me stroke them. Then there’s the big diva, Skye. I love how she leans into a rub. She’s at foster but the few times I kind of fell in love with Bridget too. Of course, I can’t leave out Kai, Dottie, Chip, Karma, Skittles, Cameo, Lola or the minis! Am I allowed to say they’re all my favorites?
My time at SAFE is my favorite time of the week. Being around the horses always lifts my spirits. Everyone I’ve worked with has been pretty terrific too! What can I say? I’ve become a horse gal and I just love it!
Congratulations Leslie! Thanks for all you do!
I don’t think I would have survived the Show without her! Even when she said she was done, she found something else to do & made a huge difference. Thank you for all you do ♡