Volunteer Spotlights

Department: Dog Enrichment Volunteer, Animal Services

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? Since 2021.

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? As soon as I moved to Florida, I looked up “shelters near me” and it was Animal Services. I walked to the shelter, which is 4 miles round trip, and I took a tour with Collis and Jennifer. Since that day, I have volunteered for over 930 hours. 

What motivates you to give back to the community? There are so many animals that need my help.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? Walking the dogs for their mental and physical health. I don’t do it for me! I do it for them for their stress relief.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: I organized a pet walk fundraiser for the Animal Welfare Trust Fund and raised $1,255 on February 24. It was so much fun, and we had a great group join us in the park!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? Choose Animal Services because the staff and volunteers are what makes this shelter an amazing place. The best part is all the time you get to spend with the dogs and cats, too. 

Department: Shelter Operations Volunteer, Animal Services

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 3 years.

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.

What motivates you to give back to the community? The shelter dogs.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? Spending time with the dogs and educating the public about the shelter’s programs and services. 

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: Every time a dog or cat goes to their forever home is a memorable moment!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? I always compare Animal Services to another shelter like going from a Volkswagen Bug to a Rolls Royce because I feel respected and appreciated, which are two essentials for any volunteer. The staff is great, and the volunteer coordinator is beyond comparison.  

Department: Master Gardener, Parks & Conservation Resources, Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 15 years including logging over 2,000 Master Gardener hours

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? My daughter knew that I love plants and she said, “Why don’t you check and see if the gardens need volunteers?” So I did and that was 15 years ago. I was on the Botanical Board for 4 years. I also spent a lot of time at the annual Holiday Lights event.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? The butterfly garden. They needed people to help, and I just came and stayed. I planted myself in the butterfly garden! Nature teaches so much about life. This butterfly garden is a place of hope because there is always a miracle happening such as a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. We get to see them firsthand.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: What an honor to be selected as Volunteer of the Year. I do this because I love it, and to get the honor on top of that is just icing on the cake.

Gayle Cooper is the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation Volunteer of the Year for Fiscal Year 2023. Watch an interview with Gayle.

Department: Parks & Conservation Resources, Brooker Creek Preserve

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? Since July of 2015.

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? Shortly after moving to Pinellas County, I started attending classes and going on hikes at Brooker Creek Preserve. I was really impressed by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff members and volunteers. A Brooker volunteer who was in my YMCA yoga class encouraged me to become a volunteer.

What motivates you to give back to the community? We are fortunate to have this large wilderness area in our densely populated County. I’m proud to play a role in the efforts to showcase and protect the preserve.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? My favorite part is interacting with visitors of all ages. I enjoy meeting people who come from different states and countries. I also enjoy chatting with the locals who are repeat visitors.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: One of my encounters with a family in the Education Center is quite memorable. They told me that a loved one had recently died, and that the preserve was one of their favorite places. They said it was comforting to walk the trails and view the Education Center exhibits, which touched my heart.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? I would tell prospective Pinellas County volunteers that volunteering is fun, educational, and very fulfilling!

Department: Parks & Conservation Resources, Brooker Creek Preserve

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 14 years

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? I attended a guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve and immediately wanted to join the team and become a volunteer.

What motivates you to give back to the community? We’ve been given this beautiful world, and it’s up to all of us to take care of it and pass it on the best we can!

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? Helping and inspiring young people to appreciate and take care of the natural resources we have.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: Seeing the excitement in children when they discover something new about their world.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? Do it, do it, do it!