News
Opinion
As a member of our community, I know that in these trying times, we are experiencing a great deal of hard- ships because of our economic situation. If we are not personally affected, we know of some- one who is. It’s times like these when we need to pull together as a community and help others during this time of desperation.
One person can make an enormous impact on so many people, and that is commendable. One such person is Cheryl Wicks.
Cheryl is the founder of the nonprofit “Sammie’s Friends,” which provides financial help with medical bills for animals in our community.
We all love our animals, but sometimes we need help with their vet bills when times are tough. Cheryl started volunteering at our local animal shelter in 2001. Along with 100 other volunteers, she helped reduce our euthanization numbers from what was 68 percent to what is now down to 2 percent. In 2004 Sammie’s Friends was founded.
Since then, approximately 2000 animals have been helped. In 2008 alone, 444 animals were helped through Sammie’s Friends.
Our community has a significant number of elderly people. Many of these people have pets ... and for some ... it’s all they have.
It’s medically proven that animals help with depression, certain health problems and companionship. Many of these elders are living off nothing but their Social Security, and it is hard to pay their own bills, aside from caring for their pets that they love so much. Because of Sammie’s Friends, people are able to have that companionship that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.
Cheryl and her partner, Curt, have done so much for the community.
From saving lives of animals to helping sick and injured pets, to releasing some of the stress and tension when members of our community feel helpless when they can’t afford treatment for their animals.
My personal experience with Cheryl is my reason for this writing. She not only helped me with my animals when I was in a time of need, but even though she does not place animals, she helped me pay for a stray dog’s shots, and put his picture on her Web site to help find him a home.
I could not take care of the dog, so I had to put it in the local animal shelter. The employees at the animal shelter were very helpful as well.
When Cheryl found out that the dog was adopted, she called me right away because she knew that I’d want to know. Again, she does not place animals, but she went above and beyond the great things that her organization already does.
Sometimes if we stop focusing on our own trials, and help another, life seems a little brighter. Sammie’s Friends does that. It makes the world a better place. Cheryl relies on donations to keep Sammie’s Friends going strong. If you are an animal lover, or just want to help, I know that she is grateful for any donation, no matter what the amount. Even the smallest donations add up and go along way.
You can contact Cheryl at www.sammiesfriends.org, and to Cheryl, I say… thank you for what you do and keep up the good work.
Jennifer Marchetti lives in Grass Valley.
One person can make an enormous impact on so many people, and that is commendable. One such person is Cheryl Wicks.
Cheryl is the founder of the nonprofit “Sammie’s Friends,” which provides financial help with medical bills for animals in our community.
We all love our animals, but sometimes we need help with their vet bills when times are tough. Cheryl started volunteering at our local animal shelter in 2001. Along with 100 other volunteers, she helped reduce our euthanization numbers from what was 68 percent to what is now down to 2 percent. In 2004 Sammie’s Friends was founded.
Since then, approximately 2000 animals have been helped. In 2008 alone, 444 animals were helped through Sammie’s Friends.
Our community has a significant number of elderly people. Many of these people have pets ... and for some ... it’s all they have.
It’s medically proven that animals help with depression, certain health problems and companionship. Many of these elders are living off nothing but their Social Security, and it is hard to pay their own bills, aside from caring for their pets that they love so much. Because of Sammie’s Friends, people are able to have that companionship that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.
Cheryl and her partner, Curt, have done so much for the community.
From saving lives of animals to helping sick and injured pets, to releasing some of the stress and tension when members of our community feel helpless when they can’t afford treatment for their animals.
My personal experience with Cheryl is my reason for this writing. She not only helped me with my animals when I was in a time of need, but even though she does not place animals, she helped me pay for a stray dog’s shots, and put his picture on her Web site to help find him a home.
I could not take care of the dog, so I had to put it in the local animal shelter. The employees at the animal shelter were very helpful as well.
When Cheryl found out that the dog was adopted, she called me right away because she knew that I’d want to know. Again, she does not place animals, but she went above and beyond the great things that her organization already does.
Sometimes if we stop focusing on our own trials, and help another, life seems a little brighter. Sammie’s Friends does that. It makes the world a better place. Cheryl relies on donations to keep Sammie’s Friends going strong. If you are an animal lover, or just want to help, I know that she is grateful for any donation, no matter what the amount. Even the smallest donations add up and go along way.
You can contact Cheryl at www.sammiesfriends.org, and to Cheryl, I say… thank you for what you do and keep up the good work.
Jennifer Marchetti lives in Grass Valley.
