The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Ray Toth is the recipient of the March 2009 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Ray Toth, our March Volunteer of the Month! Ray is involved in a variety of areas within GRRA, including home checks, transportation, intake, fostering, and assisting in special situations such as open houses at vet offices.

Ray became involved in GRRA three or four years ago after he sold his business and retired. He had time to help others and was interested in helping dogs, in particular. He read something about GRRA and got involved. Shortly after he began volunteering, Ray was asked to pick up a dog that was being returned to GRRA. He and his wife ended up fostering the dog and eventually adopted it. After that, he was hooked on goldens! Ray especially likes helping the older dogs because they are, as he puts it, "plug and play" pets. Most know basic commands and are house-broken.

One of Ray's most memorable experiences volunteering with GRRA is a trip he made to the Hall County Humane Society to pick up a one year old golden. While there, Ray asked if there were any other dogs he should take with him. The Humane Society employee mentioned an older golden who was heart worm positive and scheduled to be euthanized the next day. Ray asked to see the dog and brought him back as well. While looking around, Ray found a three month old golden puppy which he also brought home. Back in Atlanta, Ray and his wife fostered the puppy and the older dog, eventually adopting the older dog, now named Silas after one of their friends. He's had Silas now for two and a half years and can walk Silas without a leash. Silas doesn't leave Ray's side!

Ray enjoys volunteering for GRRA and does it for the dogs. His reward is a sloppy, wet kiss and a wagging tail. If he can make a dog happy, that's great! If he can make a person happy along the way, that's good, too. Ray and his wife have four goldens, ranging in age from six to twelve years old. All of them were adopted from GRRA and are truly "lucky dogs" living out their retirement with Ray and his wife. The dogs are pictured above: Jenna, Silas, Crystal, Buffy, and Sinatra, now known as Blue, whom the Toth's fostered.

Thank you Ray for all you do for GRRA and the dogs!

Lori Kauffman, who passed away in 2007, was a GRRA™ volunteer who wanted to ensure that GRRA™ continued to do its valuable work. Lori wanted people to know, "Dogs are not disposable. Having a dog is a lifelong commitment. They are an equal part of the family".

If you are aware of a volunteer's efforts that exemplify what is needed to make our volunteer organization survive and thrive, please send a note to volunteer@grra.com. Monthly Nominations are due by the 17th of each month. Click here to see previous award winners.