This month's Volunteer of the Month is Heather Mannion, who is the head of our Publicity Committee. Heather recently logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours which earns her a feature in our newsletter and on our blog. Congratulations Heather!
We asked Heather some questions about herself and PAWS. Here's what she had to say:
How long have you been at PAWS?
I started volunteering at PAWS in 2010, a few months before my husband and I adopted our first PAWS dog, Roscoe. I originally was a dog-side volunteer and then transitioned over to the Publicity Committee when it formed in June of 2010 as I realized my professional marketing, graphic design, and social media skills could really help the organization. I took over leadership of the committee during the spring of 2011.
What's your favorite thing about PAWS?
While I have many things I love about PAWS, I think my favorite is the community and support system that has been created by the volunteers and staff. There is such a strong bond between everyone, strengthened and nurtured by our mutual love of animals and drive to help rescue them. My husband and I have met some of our best friends in the world through PAWS and deeply appreciate our PAWS family. We know if we are ever in need of anything, our PAWS people will be there for us and we’ll be there for them.
What's your favorite thing to do at PAWS?
Centre Gives is my favorite event of the year at PAWS and it always makes me incredibly proud of my committee! (Shout outs to my committee members Krissy Pydynowski, Kaitlin Grau, Bob Conn, Laura Cook, Christie Warren, Christine Faust, Lisa Bahr, and Megan Tomkiel.)
I have been working on Centre Gives for PAWS each year since it began in 2012. Our committee was so happy to have raised over $10,000 that first year and we had no idea at the time how important the event would become for PAWS. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come each year since. Through our efforts this year, we raised $59,600.17 for PAWS and the organization placed #1 for most unique donors. Our committee begins planning in February/March for Centre Foundation’s yearly 36-hour online giving event. I devote almost all of my free time in April and early May to working on content and planning. It’s a lot of work but so gratifying when we see all of our volunteers, supporters, staff, and the community come together to support PAWS and other local charities. Can’t wait for our 2019 Centre Gives Yappy Hour, Blue and Woof Game, etc!
My other favorite thing I've done at PAWS is designing the new logo and tagline for the organization. Rebranding the organization with a new cohesive and modern look has been something my committee has been working towards since I started volunteering at PAWS. It is so exciting to finally have all the pieces coming together after a lot of hard work. We are slowly rolling out the new look and you can already find it on all of our social media and the new business cards that arrived at PAWS last week. You'll be seeing the new logo and branding on our website in the next month. New materials, signs, etc are already popping up around the building as the roll out continues. Stay tuned!
What are your favorite non-PAWS hobbies?
I love to play board games with friends, walk/hike with our dogs, go antiquing, cook, and read. Art is another important part of my life, both creating and enjoying others art. I always have some sort of art or craft project in the works, love taking photos, and I enjoy going to museums and performing arts shows (I work at the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State.) I also love to just chill out at home watching TV or movies with my husband, friends, and all four of our rescue animals.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Altoona, PA but fell in love with the State College area after attending Penn State. My family helped start Monica’s Heart Greyhound Rescue in Altoona when I was 13 and I thank them for inspiring my life-long passion for volunteering with animal rescue groups.
What do you like to do in Centre County?
There are so many wonderful things to enjoy in Centre County! Arts Fest is my favorite time of the year and I look forward to all our family and friends visiting for the Fest. I love all of the wonderful things to do outdoors, in particular my husband and I love to walk around Millbrook Marsh, go swimming at Bald Eagle in the summer, and explore all the local parks. Also, since we live in Bellefonte, we enjoy walking downtown to check out the antique stores and other shops, walk along the waterfront in Talleyrand, and occasionally stop by Big Spring Spirits and Good Intent Cidery.