Giving Their Time, Sharing Their Love
Volunteers play a big role in advancing the mission of the Humane Society of Elkhart County
The Humane Society of Elkhart County (HSEC), a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization, seeks to create caring communities that advocate for the humane treatment of all animals. The mission of the HSEC, which originally began its work in Elkhart County in 1939, is to rescue, rehabilitate, re-home, and support the compassionate care of animals. The HSEC operates as an open admission animal shelter and serves as animal control for Elkhart County.
Like so many worthy non-profit organizations around the region, the HSEC—which serves a community of over 200,000 people—relies on community support and donations, and also depends on the assistance of volunteers to continue and further its mission. Meet some of the amazing, dedicated volunteers who help this longtime Elkhart County organization do its important work!
Kyle Kmieciak
“I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and a scientist, I was born in Detroit and raised in Livonia, Michigan,” says Kyle Kmieciak. “I started volunteering at the HSEC because I wanted to adopt a dog when I first moved to Elkhart in 2015, but my apartment had a ‘no dogs’ policy. Since I couldn’t own a dog, I wanted to spend as much time around them as I could.
I’ve been a volunteer with the HSEC since April of 2016, and in eight years here I’ve done a bit of everything. One of my favorite things is working and spending time with the older and senior dogs. Sometimes I leave the shelter covered in fur and dirt and dealing with aches and pains from the more active animals, but it is the best feeling. The inner sense of calm that comes from being exhausted after a day helping with animals is a feeling that never gets old. The staff is honestly what’s kept me coming back. I’ve since moved to St. Joseph County, but I commute so I can continue to volunteer here; I just have so much trust and respect for the HSEC Board and its leadership and staff.
The adoption showcases have been some of my best memories. That’s where we take a few animals that are up for adoption out into the community to raise awareness. Getting the animals out of the kennel for the day allows their personalities to really shine. We’ve had numerous adoptions happen because someone met a certain animal at a showcase event. I, myself, adopted a purebred American Staffordshire Terrier named Tess from the HSEC—I brought her home on December 31st, 2021, and she’s been my princess ever since!
I think the HSEC mission is important, and volunteering has always been a part of my life. It is something my parents and I did a lot when I was growing up—whether it was helping a neighbor, or helping through church, or on a mission trip. Giving of oneself for a good cause, while expecting nothing in return, offers a glimpse of the power of humanity, and it’s also just a good feeling to know you’re doing things to help make a better world.”
Beth Hall
“One of my first days volunteering at the HSEC, back in 2017, I was editing photos for the website, and—although it was July—I noticed that my office partner was wearing a large hoodie,” says Beth Hall. “It seemed strange, and then after a few minutes I realized she had several newborn kittens in the hoodie’s pocket; she was keeping them warm. I remember thinking, I have found my people!
I love working in the adoption rooms, matching up cats with their forever family. I know I’m contributing to the welfare of the animals, and enriching lives, and that is a great feeling. Animal welfare, controlling cat and dog populations by spaying and neutering, disease control—these are all important within any community, and I think the adoption element is crucial as well. Happiness is a warm puppy or kitten, and I think our animals have so much to give in terms of companionship.
Volunteering is my way of giving back to my community. In addition to the HSEC, I am a docent for the Ruthmere Museum and I’ve worked at the food bank at my church. I also crochet hats and scarves which I donate to several organizations. I grew up near Fort Wayne, but came to this area to attend Goshen College—where I met my husband. We live in Elkhart. I retired from teaching at the Elkhart Area Career Center in 2020, having taught Computer Technology courses there for 30 years. I was also an adjunct professor for several colleges and universities.
It gives me joy to volunteer at the Humane Society. My father and grandfather were both veterinarians, and as a kid I earned my allowance working as a kennel girl. At times I feel like I’m reliving my youth!”
Caryl Brown
“I’m blessed to say that volunteers had a big impact on my life,” says Caryl Brown, a global business professional with two master’s degrees from MIT. “I’m from St. Petersburg, Florida, originally, and a lot of my early experiences—like being in Boy Scouts and playing in Little League—were, in hindsight, made possible only through the work of committed volunteers. I think once you get older and start to appreciate the positive effects of volunteerism on your own life, it only makes sense to figure out what you can do to give back in your own way.
My own family had a good experience adopting a pet; we adopted a cat for our daughter from a shelter in Holland, Michigan, and I have a lot of experience with cats and less traditional pets. My mom was very involved with animal organizations in Florida, she fostered many cats when I was growing up, and so I had some great examples. For me, volunteering at the HSEC—connecting animals with people, working to help manage the animal population, being a part of the fundraisers—it’s a good way for me to give back. It helps me stay involved in the community, and it’s very rewarding.
I really enjoy helping to socialize animals that are not friendly to people, or not used to being around people. I’ve been involved with that for about a year. I’ll walk the dogs, spend time with the cats, deliver animals to meet and greet sessions, and do a lot of the final prep for adoptions. What I see, and have experienced, is that pets can bring a great deal of joy to families. Being as volunteer at the Humane Society of Elkhart County is a good fit for me. I have an overall love and passion for the mission here, and it feels very rewarding just to be involved.”
Kyle Kmieciak (top) has been a volunteer for the Humane Society of Elkhart County. since 2016. Kmieciak, a scientist and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, loves working with older and senior dogs, and adopted a purebred American Staffordshire Terrier named Tess (pictured below, with the pink doggy bone collar) from the HSEC in 2021.
Beth Hall (middle) started as a volunteer for the HSEC in 2017, after adopting a cat. Hall originally started volunteering as a photographer and has worked the cat adoption rooms. Since retiring in 2020, Hall has spent time doing volunteer computer work for the non-profit organization.
Caryl Brown, (“Carl with a ‘Y'”) is originally from St. Petersburg and spends time at the HSEC as a volunteer working to socialize animals that are learning to being around humans. Brown also enjoys taking part in fundraisers and preparing animals for meet and greet sessions with prospective new owners.
Friendly, furry faces of the HSEC!
The Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 County Road 19 in Bristol, Indiana, serves over 200,000 people in Elkhart County in its mission to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals. For more information, or if you’d like to become a volunteer or make a donation, please visit https://elkharthumanesociety.org/contact/.
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