Letter to the editor: Neighborly thanks for neighborly giving

Being thankful for good neighbors is something I reflect on this time of year and I feel one neighbor of mine, Debbie Long, deserves recognition for upholding the integrity of civic responsibility in the volunteer department.

A mother, wife and owner/operator of her own business, Debbie is an incredibly busy woman. However, this does not hinder her from finding time to volunteer in numerous capacities, particularly at Animal Ark, a no-kill animal shelter in Hastings. Two weekends ago Animal Ark hosted its Annual Holiday Auction and it could not have been a successful evening without Debbie’s many, many, many hours of volunteer time collecting for, assembling, and administratively organizing the fundraising elements of this event.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks – this being Debbie’s 10th year of dedicating time, compassion and intense commitment to such a huge responsibility, I want to publicly thank her.

She is the most thoughtful, generous and giving individual I know. Nonprofit community service organizations such as Animal Ark provide shelter for abused and wayward animals and are instrumental in preventing them from proliferating and wandering homelessly on our city’s streets. It cannot operate without support of steadfast volunteers. Debbie Long’s hard work and selfless volunteer time makes our community a better place as well as helps provide respite, hope and new beginnings to the countless animals to whom Animal Ark of Hastings opens its arms. Thank you, Debbie, for all you do in our community.

Dana Wood - Woodbury

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, updates