The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors held a ceremony on April 10 to honor the 5,104 volunteers for contributing more than 350,250 hours to County programs, totaling $10,340,882 worth of service in 2017. Their initiative, energy, and desire further supports the County of Sacramento’s ability to achieve its vision of being the most livable community with the highest quality public service.
During the recognition ceremony, individuals and groups were honored that served the departments of Animal Care and Regulation, Health and Human Services, Regional Parks, Probation, Sheriff and the University of California Cooperative Extension.
One volunteer group recognized at the ceremony was the Bradshaw Animal Assistance Team Program (B.A.A.T.), which has a rotating team comprised of more than 120 dedicated veterinary professionals and students, and non-veterinary volunteers. Together, they provide important veterinary care and wellness services to pets of financially struggling and homeless pet owners within our most underserved County communities. In 2017, B.A.A.T served more than 2,600 pets, having a direct impact on their quality of life. Each high-volume clinic event serves an average of 250 pets in a single three hour period, with team members providing compassionate care and personalized service to each client.
Through the Volunteer in Partnership with the Sheriff (VIPS), Robert McCulley, known as “Volunteer Bob”, has volunteered for more than 10 years and donated more than 3,700 hours at several Sheriff’s Department Service Centers including Marconi Service Center, Rancho Cordova/East Service Center, and the Sheriff’s Work Release facility. McCulley has been a volunteer trainer for crime report writing and VIPS Patrol in Sacramento County, as well as trainer for new volunteers at the Work Release facility. As an exemplary volunteer, McCulley consistently shares his knowledge and experience with others, always willing to provide guidance and leadership to other volunteers.
Others recognized at the event included the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers, Carolyn Ricchiuto, the Aeschliman family, Pauline Kawamoto, Cosumnes River Preserve’s mountain lion study volunteers, Irene Berger, Pawsitive Impact volunteers, Jeffrey Douglas Cooper and the Rio Linda Service Center volunteers.