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Home / Blog / Volunteer Appreciation Dinner – October 14

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner – October 14

  • A white graphic with bold purple text reading "2026 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner."

Thank You to Our Volunteers

On October 14, Joybound had the privilege of celebrating one of the most important parts of the Joybound community: our incredible volunteers. At our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, staff, supporters, and volunteers came together to recognize the people who give their time, talents, and hearts to helping animals and the people who love them every day. The carnival-themed evening was filled with gratitude, stories, laughter, and a reflection on what we can accomplish when compassionate people come together around a shared mission.

We were honored to recognize several volunteers whose contributions stood out over the past year. Department MVP awards celebrated volunteers who went above and beyond in service to animals, clients, and fellow volunteers, while special honors recognized exceptional dedication, leadership, and Joybound spirit. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients, including Volunteer of the Year recipient Anne Waters, whose commitment exemplifies the compassion and generosity that define Joybound People & Pets.

Three women wearing lanyards stand together in a decorated indoor event space, with balloons and bunting in the background.
12

Award Winners Recognized

Four volunteers standing outdoors under a purple umbrella, with three wearing lanyards and purple shirts, at what appears to be an appreciation event.
65,100+

Hours of Volunteering

Volunteers seated at round tables with purple tablecloths during an appreciation dinner, with balloons, pennant banners, and a welcome screen in the background.
960+

Active Volunteers

(Data from FY 2025-2026)

Most importantly, the evening was a reminder that every walk, every foster home, every adoption conversation, every outreach event, every admissions run, and every moment spent caring for animals and pet guardians adds up to something remarkable. To all of the volunteers who shared their time with Joybound this year, thank you. Your kindness creates second chances, strengthens families, supports our community, and helps thousands of animals and people find brighter futures. We are endlessly grateful to have you as part of the Joybound family.

LEARN ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

Congrats to Our 2026 Award Winners

Volunteer of the Year

Anne Waters

Foster of the Year

Claire Dudan

Rookie Rockstar Award

Holly Vugia

Joybound Spirit Award

Candace Conrad

Adoptions MVP

Mika Issacs

Animal Care MVP

Steve McNabb

Community Engagement MVP

Suzanne Becker

Community Solutions MVP

Elise Warren

Shelter to Service MVP

Sue Lin Currie

Thrift Store MVP

Ron Assour

Veterinary Clinic MVP

Mary Ann Girty

Wellbeing & Admissions MVP

Jan Sanchez

Text graphic displaying the phrase "UNLEASH HAPPINESS" in bold purple letters against a black background. The letters are outlined, creating a layered visual effect.
  • A smiling older man wearing glasses and a black leather jacket stands outdoors holding a plastic cup, with people and a building decorated with hanging lanterns behind him.
  • Volunteers and guests stand around a striped serving table at an outdoor dinner, with paper lanterns hanging above and a man in a decorative costume near the center.
  • Two women stand at a cocktail table during an outdoor volunteer appreciation dinner, with drinks and snacks in front of a glass building.
  • Two women wearing lanyards stand together outside a glass entrance, with drink cans in hand.
  • An older woman with glasses holds a framed certificate while a woman in a gray shirt stands beside her at a decorated volunteer appreciation dinner, with seated guests and tables in the background.
  • A woman presents a framed certificate to a smiling older woman at an indoor volunteer appreciation dinner decorated with balloons and pennant banners.
  • A woman in a red-and-white apron serves food from buffet trays across a purple-covered table, while guests line up with plates in a bright hall.
  • Two women stand in a decorated room as one presents a trophy to the other, with seated attendees and balloons in the background.
  • Three women stand together outdoors at a volunteer appreciation dinner, with string lights, patio umbrellas, and other attendees in the background.
  • A group of adults stands outdoors at a volunteer appreciation dinner, with a costumed server beside pots and trays on the grass and purple patio umbrellas in the background.
  • Three volunteers in purple We Are Joybound shirts stand under a purple umbrella, with two raising their arms and one wearing a red-and-white apron and hat, in front of a building with hanging lanterns.
  • Three women standing together outside a building, two with raised arms and one in a red striped apron, with windows and other attendees in the background.
  • Two women play giant Jenga on an outdoor table, with one leaning in to steady the wooden block tower beside a courtyard building.
  • A man and a woman stand together indoors while holding a framed certificate, with seated attendees and balloons in the background.
  • A group of seven volunteers stands around a tall black table outdoors, with several wearing purple shirts and lanyards beneath a purple umbrella.
VIEW ALL EVENT PHOTOS ON FLICKR

Volunteering with Joybound

Volunteering at Joybound is about more than just giving your time — it’s making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. Whether you’re providing hands-on care for shelter pets, assisting at events, or helping community members keep their beloved animals, every role helps create a kinder, more compassionate world for pets in need.

A volunteer interacting with a brown dog, gently pressing her forehead against the dog's and smiling. The background features greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting, reflecting a moment of connection between the volunteer and the animal.

Volunteering

Begin your online volunteer orientation process to start using your time to make a difference in the lives of pets.

A person wearing a headscarf smiles and embraces a dog, both sitting on grass. The dog wears a purple vest indicating its role, illustrating the bond between the volunteer and the animal.

Therapy Pet Volunteering

Well-behaved, friendly pets can join our visiting therapy animal program to provide comfort to people in need.

A smiling woman wearing glasses sits next to a light-colored cat with its head resting against her. The background includes shelves with books, suggesting a cozy indoor environment.

Fostering

Fosters a provide temporary space where dogs and cats can heal, grow, and receive personalized care.

A woman smiles while posing with a brown and white dog wearing a service vest. The background features greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting. Both the volunteer and the dog appear relaxed and friendly.

Volunteer Foster Training

The first step on the Shelter to Service psychiatric service dog pathway? A stay in the home of a special volunteer.

A young woman and a young man smiling while holding the leash of a black dog. They are both wearing name tags and are standing on a sidewalk in a sunny outdoor setting, representing volunteers engaging with animals.

Youth Volunteering

Volunteering provides teens with a chance to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and make a real impact.

A group of seven volunteers posing in front of a sign for 'Solo's Play Ground' in a park. They stand in a semi-circle, smiling. The sign features a blue and white design with an image of a dog. The setting is sunny and green.

Group Volunteering

Ready to shake up your team-building routine with something meaningful and memorable? We’ve got you covered.

A group of six men with beards, wearing black and white t-shirts, pose together outdoors in front of a fountain. They are standing with their arms crossed and displaying a confident stance, emphasizing camaraderie among volunteers.

One-Off Volunteering

If a regularly occurring volunteering isn’t the right fit, we can contact you during larger projects.

More Joybound Happenings

We feed our animals high-quality Purina pet food.

You can find all our adorable, adoptable animals on Petfinder.

We’re a proud recipient of funding from the Engelstad Foundation.

The ASPCA logo features the letters 'ASPCA' in bold gray with the letter 'P' highlighted in orange. This logo represents the organization's mission to protect animals. Related to the Joybound Strategic Plan, it emphasizes their goals in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

We’re honored to elevate animal wellness alongside the ASPCA.

Logo of VCA Animal Hospitals featuring the letters ‘vca’ in blue and the words ‘animal hospitals’ in a smaller font below. The logo includes a colorful diamond shape in turquoise, orange, and purple on the upper right side.

VCA’s expert care heals pets and Joybound shelter animals alike.

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