At Activus Connect, we love giving back to the community in any way we can. Because of this, we encourage our ambassadors to give back as well by offering them a Day of Giving.
We met with Madeleine Herron (MH) to go over her Day of Giving experience volunteering at the STAT Animal Sanctuary.
AC: For your Day of Giving, what organization did you volunteer for?
MH: I volunteered for STAT Animal Sanctuary, in Winchester California, about 20-minute drive from where I live in Temecula.
AC: Can you tell us a bit about the STAT Animal Sanctuary?
MH: This is an all-volunteer organization. It is a farm/ranch, on over 20 acres of land, where retired horses and other animals can come to peacefully live out their lives. They also offer horse riding experiences for mentally challenged children and adults, and the opportunity to pet and feed the ducks, goats and pigs. The organization hosts many fund raisers throughout the year.
AC: Was this your first-time volunteering there?
MH: No, I have been volunteering for this organization for over a year now.
AC: Are there any requirements for volunteers?
MH: No, not at all. Anyone who wants to contribute can come out and do as much or as little as they are able.
AC: What motivated you to volunteer at the STAT Animal Sanctuary?
MH: Actually, about a year ago, another sanctuary that we used to volunteer at had to close down suddenly, so we looked for another volunteer opportunity and found Patti Roberts, the founder of STAT and have been volunteering there for a year or so now.
AC: How was your experience while volunteering? What did you do?
MH: My experience was, and always is, wonderful. Going out to the sanctuary is a way for me to completely turn my attentions from my everyday life, to beautiful animals who offer unconditional love and appreciation. Grooming the horses, changing the water in the duck ponds, cleaning the goat pens and paddocks, cutting endless bags of carrots for snacks for the goats, horses, and llamas are just some of the tasks we do when we volunteer.
AC: What would you say to encourage others to participate?
MH: I would say, “Giving of yourself is one of the greatest soul-lifters there is”.
AC: Lastly, is there anything you’d like to tell our readers before we go?
MH: If you would like to make a donation you can do so on their website. Thank you again for the opportunity for me to take the workday to do the valuable work I love to do.
