Volunteering in the community is a must....

While being an educator is a busy job, I truly believe volunteering in our community should be one of the focal points of any government official.  Every year I ring the bell in front of Walmart for the Salvation Army, last Thanksgiving I fed the homeless, and most recently joined forces with BAM-Because Animals Matter. 

I believe wholeheartedly in their mission, to save dogs. I have always had a love for animals, but my heart belongs to those in a shelter. Every pet I have owned has come from a non-profit organization. I volunteer for BAM because they matter. I see the love and compassion the volunteers have for the doggies. I utilize my photography skillset in giving back to them the way they give to their animals in need. If only all of us could be as compassionate and as caring as the people who give of their time, love, and loyalty to our animals waiting to find their forever home. Every volunteer there is selfless, compassionate, and sets the example we all should live by. 

Today, I spoke on their behalf at the Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Speech is here and yes, I stole some wording for the above post.

My name is Cindy Matejka, I’m a resident here in Hurricane and a middle school teacher in the Washington County School District. I would like to share my story of what it means to volunteer at BAM-Because Animals Matter. 

As an educator and as I always do with my students daily, I say, “I have a story to share,” , usually on a Monday morning, and sometimes I get a groan or two, but most of the time they are excited to hear what I have to say. 

When I was five years of age, my mom made me take piano lessons. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, however, I grew to find a love for music, being able to read it as well as sing it. Weekly I’d show up for my lessons, and one day my teacher was running late with another student. I met their Peek-a-Poo named Oscar. Oscar was a handful for them, and after a few months, they were going to surrender him to a kill shelter. I begged my parents relentlessly for that little dog, and much to my surprise, I came home one night from a church event to be greeted by him. He was our family member for 15 years. 

I have always had a love for animals, but my heart belongs to those in a shelter. Every pet I have owned has come from a non-profit organization. I volunteer for BAM because they matter. I see the love and compassion the volunteers have for the doggies. I utilize my photography skillset in giving back to them the way they give to their animals in need. If only all of us could be as compassionate and as caring as the people who give of their time, love, and loyalty to our animals waiting to find their forever home. Every volunteer there is selfless, compassionate, and sets the example we all should live by. Thank you.