The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor is pleased to honor Linda Pollard as our 2023 Volunteer of the Year.
Linda came to volunteer at the APS-FH Treasure Hounds store in November 2021, soon after relocating to Friday Harbor. Treasure Hounds is significant to APS-FH as its sales support the general operating expenses of the entire organization. Since the day Linda walked into the store, she has been dedicated to helping the store increase sales and raise even more funding to support the mission and services of APS-FH.
Linda does so much to support Treasure Hounds; it is almost like a full time position for her. Besides her regular volunteer work in the store, she also coordinates the other volunteers; making (and revising) the schedule every month, and fills in whenever necessary (which is every month). Linda has been known to provide rides to other volunteers, organize meal trains for sick or injured volunteers, and even deliver customer’s small furniture purchases to their homes. She has a huge heart and does whatever she can to help others. Linda is willing to do all the non preferred tasks in the store such as taking home linens to wash and iron and silver to polish! And if that is not enough, Linda has also taken the initiative to begin selling items on eBay for Treasure Hounds.
Since Linda has been volunteering at Treasure Hounds, the store’s open hours and days have been extended, and both the number of volunteers and sales have nearly doubled. Significantly too, Linda’s efforts directly relieve the APS-FH Director of many duties and details related to the store so that she may focus on her organizational responsibilities.
But don’t take our word for it, here are some quotes about Linda from other Treasure Hounds Volunteers – who obviously adore her:
“Linda is a great leader. She is no-nonsense, yet very engaging, and a joy to be around.”
“Linda always has the best attitude! Always positive and accommodating, and she always makes a point of saying thank you to the volunteers. APS is so lucky to have her on the Treasure Hounds team!”
“Linda IS definitely one of the reasons Treasure Hounds has become a favorite store to shop in Friday Harbor. Her organizing of the volunteer group is fantastic and her generous ways of taking things home to clean so they are attractive to our customers is amazing!!! What would we do without Linda?”
“My first experience with Treasure Hounds was as a customer. Linda was working that day and she was so warm, welcoming and kind. It is one of the reasons I decided to volunteer. Linda was such a great representation of what makes Treasure Hounds special. “
“Linda Pollard is the backbone of the volunteer program at Treasure Hounds! Her kindness, strength, group minded attitude is something I could always count on. On more than one occasion she helped me out of a tough situation. Her ability to rally the troops, and her tireless mind. I just cannot say enough positive about her. She is a gem!”
“What stands out in my mind regarding Linda’s qualities is her willingness to support her colleagues. She was so helpful to me on a personal level when I was going through a tough time. Also, I love that she takes home linens that need laundering. She definitely goes the extra mile!”
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving to be Volunteer of the Year. Linda brings love, light, and full commitment to her volunteer position. It is in her nature to be all these things. I am very lucky to know her as a generous, loyal and kind friend.”
Thank you Linda, from all of us at APS-FH, for all you contribute, to help us provide love, safety, security, and comfort to homeless and community pets in-need in San Juan County.
If you are interested in joining an excellent team of volunteers working together in a fun environment, fill out a volunteer application. We hope to hear from you!