HSHA 2021 AWARD WINNERS
Each year HSHA recognizes several key individuals that have truly exemplified and embodied the organization’s mission, to build a better community for pets and people. This year, we recognized those listed below at our Fur Ball Gala.
2021 Community Partner of the Year: The Pizza Grille
Tonight we are happy to honor the Pizza Grille as our Community Partner of the Year. The Pizza Grille, and owners Doug and Deb Barry, have been supporters of the Humane Society for some time. For years, the Pizza Grille has donated $1,000 worth of needed supplies such as toilet paper, bleach, and trash bags. Doug and Deb Barry personally sponsor Resident Housing plaques, among other generous gifts. In 2017, their son Michael tragically passed away. He loved all animals but shared an especially unique relationship with his rescue pit bull, Beretta. In 2021, the Barry’s and the Pizza Grille held the 1st Annual Michael Barry Memorial 5k. With zero advertising, only word of mouth from Pizza Grille patrons and friends, they raised over $5,000 – all donated to the Humane Society. We are honored to have a partner like the Pizza Grille, and the Barry’s, in the Community. Thank you.
2021 Employee of the Year: Kristi Kleinfelter
In the face of adversity, there are some people that rise to the occasion. Kristi Kleinfelter, our Employee of the Year, is that type of person. As our Adoption Center Team Lead, Kristi was faced with the challenge of getting animals adopted and out the door without the public walking through the building like normal. This was no sweat for Kristi, and she did it with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Kristi never once let a pandemic damper her spirit. She is often referred to as the “shelter mom” – always making sure staff has everything they need, whether it’s someone to speak to, a helping hand, or a granola bar when they don’t eat enough breakfast. We should also mention Kristi is a mom of three boys: Christopher, Keagan, and Isaac! Kristi is also an active foster mom for the shelter, taking home pets in need each year, until they are ready to be adopted. This year included Sunny, a pit bull found as a stray, weighing only 33 pounds with little hair, lots of fleas, and little hope left in her sad eyes. After being fostered by Kristi, Sunny truly looked and acted like a different dog: a happy girl with a full life ahead of her, looking healthy at 54 pounds! When speaking about fostering, Kristi says “It’s cool to think there are pieces of my heart all over the world.” This philosophy is an example of how Kristi tackles everything: with an infectious positivity. Thank You, Kristi, for all you do!
2021 Volunteers of the Year: Jenny Hertzler
We are pleased to announce that our Volunteer of the Year is Jennifer Hertzler. Jenny Hertzler is a quiet but powerful presence at the Humane Society. Jenny expresses herself through her photography, which you are probably familiar with. Her stunning images of cats, kittens, events and more are used often on our website, in our brochures, and on our adoptable pets’ page. Jenny is also the author behind many of the clever cat bios you read of the cats and kittens looking for homes. Our adoptable cat bios and photos would truly suffer without Jenny’s creative touch. In addition to her work as a photographer, copywriter, and cat socializer, Jenny helps out the shelter in many other ways. She helps clean our critter room and makes sure our critters receive lots of love. She also regularly helps with laundry and dishes. Jenny’s dedication to the shelter and the animals is unwavering, and tonight we honor her.
2021 Foster Parents of the Year: Jennifer and Jordan Gummo
We are happy to announce that are Foster Parents of the Year are Jennifer and Jordan Gummo! Jennifer Gummo was already a seasoned pro at caring for orphaned kittens when she joined our foster team in 2018 having fostered for other organizations in the past. Over the last three years she has fostered close to 100 homeless kittens for HSHA. Jen is our go-to foster parent for some of the most vulnerable kittens that come through our doors- the very young and the very sick. If we need to find urgent placement for kittens we simply give her a call or a text and she will be at the shelter with carrier in hand. Having a foster parent that is always on standby is very much appreciated and is one of the reasons we wish to honor Jen this evening. Jen would be the first to admit though, she couldn’t do it all without the help of her son, Joshua. Josh has been helping Jen with fostering kittens since he was 11 years old. He helps his mom with cleaning, feeding, medicating, and socializing. We joke around that you can always tell a “Gummo kitten” as they are usually the most robust, healthy, and friendly kittens at the shelter. This speaks to how much time and love Jen and Josh put into caring for these orphaned animals. Their hard work ensures that these kittens are getting off to a great foot in life and have a better chance of being adopted sooner because of how happy and healthy they are when they return to the shelter. We recognize Jen and Josh tonight for their dedication to saving lives through fostering.
