This week’s (8/14/14 – 8/30/14) Staff/Volunteer of the Week for Rikki’s Refuge is DENNIS BANE! Thank you Dennis, for everything you do! We appreciate you!

Dennis Bane is amazing!! We usually know he’s been volunteering at Rikki’s when we see a storage area organized, a new deck built, the pantry’s been stocked, supplies have been picked up, produce has been delivered. Dennis is the epitome of “self service volunteer”. No muss, no fuss, get the job done.

Dennis walks the talk. He believes in what he does, he does what he believes in. Lends a hand, help out, leave the world a better place. Dennis just retired as a beloved coach and REACH instructor at Spotsylvania High School. REACH is a program to help teach intellectually challenged upper teens and young adults the skills they need to become independent.

Dennis has been bringing his REACH classes out to Rikki’s for years. They are wonderful kids and have helped with so many projects and fundraisers. Together they run the Duke Thomas Peabody Booth at the MinuteMan MiniMall in Culpeper, VA, USA, to raise funds for Rikki’s. It’s located right at the intersection of 522 and 3 and 29 ? Duke sells Rikki’s items, animal related supplies, and cool collectables and antiques. Stop in and visit when you’re in Culpeper !!!

They also help with pick up and delivery and sorting donations and organizing at Re-Tail, our thrift store in Fredericksburg, 3502 Lafayette Blvd, VA, 22408, USA. Dennis is often the one moving donations to and from Re-Tail and Rikki’s.

During Pumpkin Season, Dennis and his group is our biggest hauler. Everybody at Rikki’s, except the cats and dogs, love pumpkins. Hauling season is only about a month away. Let us know if you’d like to help haul pumpkins, every stand, farmer’s market, and most grocery stores want them hauled right after Halloween and they’ll give the soft ones away during the season too!! mail@RikkisRefuge.org if you will help this year!!

Time to pick up a pallet of cat food? Dennis is there with his trailer. When he’s gone, it’s all been unloaded and stacked in the pantry. For those working at Rikki’s, it’s like the cat food fairy came and stocked the pantry — no fuss, no muss, it’s all done !!!!

Every Fall, the first Saturday of November, Dennis holds Rikki’s 5K Race/Walk to raise money for Rikki’s. Rikki’s 6th Annual 5K will be November 1, 2014 at 9:00 AM at beautiful Lake Anna State Park. Entry fee of $25.00 (or $30.00 on race day) will help the over 1200 animals who call Rikki’s Refuge their home. Checks should be made to Rikki’s Refuge. Donations of pet food and/or other supplies are welcome. Awards will be presented to the first male and female finisher and the first 3 in each age group (19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-up). Also the team with the most runners/walkers. All pre- registered runners are guaranteed a T-Shirt. The race will be held rain or shine. The race is sponsored by: Patterson’s Construction, Ed’s Awards & Engraving, VA Runner, Lake Anna State Park, Giant Food Stores, Meadows Farms, and The REACH program. Entry Forms can be picked up at: VA Runner, Ed’s Awards & Engraving, Giant Food Stores, 360 Feeds or email bugbane30@gmail.com for more information.

Dennis puts the whole thing together in his usual style. No muss no fuss. He lines up the sponsors, makes the brochures, manages the funds, organizes and runs the day !!! Thank you Dennis. I don’t think I say that often enough cuz usually I’m just looking at the wonderful things you’ve done …. and you’re gone … off to your next project.

When Dennis rings the REACH team out to Rikki’s to work, they do all kinds of things. Dish washing, clean up, organizing, yard work …. and they even built the deck for the new office trailers !!! These people are talented !!!! This kind of work teaches the REACH kids skills they can use in the world and the confidence to go out there and make something of their lives. They could not have a better teacher than Dennis. He truly loves his kids and he keeps up with many long after they graduate and have happy successful lives.

Thank you Dennis for all you do for Rikki’s Refuge …. and for all you do for the planet !!!

You’re an outstanding human being, we’re so glad you’re on this planet !!