VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND

Elaine, Laura and Jill - three of my fellow volunteers

I have had the distinct honor to work (and play) along side some of the most dedicated volunteers I have ever been blessed to know. I cannot even start this posting without expressing my heartfelt thanks to Rob Miller and Shirley Mainprize who have dedicated their lives and resources to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of our wondrous "beasts of burden". They share their hearts, their home, and their bounty with the donkeys and with us, the volunteers and visitors. And all of this is done on a volunteer basis - 24/7. INCREDIBLE!!!

I am also honored to volunteer with a small but feisty group of women and men who aren't afraid to get a lot of dirt under their fingernails when duty calls. At times our assignments aren't pretty (see prior postings). But I hope I speak for all of us in saying that we leave the Refuge tired, and often achy, but ALWAYS knowing that we have made a positive impact on the lives of the donkeys and hoping that we have created a chance for Shirley and Rob to put their feet up and relax, if just for a moment.

Volunteering at the Donkey Refuge is not just spending time with the donkeys. THAT IS THE REWARD. Like dessert....once you've weeded the garden/tidied the Donkey store/painted the trim/picked up the poop in paddock 3.....you can have an ice cream cone.

Only dessert here is more of a sense of belonging, of giving back, of making a profound difference, of total peace.

Ice cream comes and goes. The knowledge that you have made this world a better place to be stays with you forever.

Think about it - YOUR HEART WILL THANK YOU. If you can't participate as a volunteer, please consider making a donation to the donkeys. Go to our website : turtlevalleydonkeyrefuge.com and click on "DONATE NOW".