The Helping Hands That Make It Happen
At Helping Hands, everything we do is powered by people who care—volunteers who give their time, businesses and organizations that support our mission, and friends like you who lend a helping hand in so many different ways.
This week, we're kicking off a new series that puts some familiar and perhaps not-so-familiar faces in the spotlight. We're also sharing ways our community is stepping up and inviting you to join in on the fun!
The People (And Pets!) Behind Helping Hands
A few weeks ago, we promised you'd get to meet the incredible team of volunteers behind Helping Hands. Now it's time for our first introduction!
We're starting with Janet Paul, a Helping Hands volunteer for more than five years and the current Clerk of our Board of Directors, along with her rescue pup, Yukie.
Meet Janet
A “Mainer to the core,” Janet retired in 2017 after a 40-year career in insurance. She and her wife moved to Plymouth when they decided to downsize and trade Maine winters for somewhat milder ones—although they still have a camp in Northern Maine.
Giving back has been part of Janet’s life for a long time, beginning with her Girl Scout days from Brownie through Cadet. She still stays plenty busy! You might find her walking in the woods or around downtown Plymouth, playing pickleball, or working out at Plymouth Fitness. As Janet likes to say, “motion is lotion for the joints.”
Why Helping Hands?
A dear friend introduced Janet to Helping Hands when she was looking for a way to meet people in her new community while getting involved in a great cause. More than five years later, what she values most is knowing that Helping Hands can make an immediate difference for a family pet who might not otherwise receive the help they need.
She also appreciates the relationships Helping Hands has built with local businesses and organizations whose financial support helps make our mission possible.
A Lifetime of Four-Legged Friends
Believe it or not, Janet actually grew up without pets of her own. She was surrounded by the dogs, cats and horses of friends and cousins—and she certainly made up for lost time!
Over the years, her family has included Max, a rescue Black Lab mix who loved swimming and catching Frisbees; a triple-pawed part-Siamese cat; and two more cats, the wonderfully named Misses Joan Armatrading and Mrs. Mitchell, who had a habit of walking across the fireplace mantel and knocking everything off.
There were also Chinooks Maya and Gunny—Maya even spent
some time on a sled team. Zoey, a rescued Shepherd mix, became Janet's running and hiking companion and even traveled with them in their RV. And Frankie, an abandoned shelter dog, had unforgettable blue eyes.
Meet Yukie
Today, Janet and her wife share their home with Yukie, a 4½-year-old rescue Husky-Shepherd mix. After some great training, Yukie can run free on their walks in the woods and has built quite the social circle, with several dog friends at Morton Park.
One More Fun Fact...
Janet did skijoring with Maya for a brief time (cross-country skiing while being pulled by a dog)!
We're so lucky to have Janet as part of the Helping Hands team and can't wait to introduce you to more of the people and pets who put their hearts into our mission.
It Takes A Community
Janet is one of the many wonderful people who give their time and energy to make Helping Hands possible.
But our work doesn't happen through volunteers alone. It takes an entire community—individual supporters, local organizations and businesses that believe pets are family and want to help keep them where they belong.
And one great way to help right now?
Our 6th Annual Helping Hands Golf Tournament!
Golf Sponsorships Available!
From tee signs to tournament sponsorships, there are opportunities for businesses, pet lovers and community supporters at a variety of levels. Every sponsorship helps provide pet food, veterinary care and other critical assistance to local pets and pet owners in need.
Thank You, Rockland Trust!
Speaking of community support, if you're stopping by Rockland Trust in Manomet over the next two weeks, keep an eye out for Helping Hands! They're hosting an informational display to help spread the word about our mission.
Rockland Trust has been part of our story for nearly two decades. As our primary bank, their team has worked alongside us, provided community grants, and supported our efforts to serve local pets and the people who love them.
We're also grateful for our relationships with Cape Cod 5 and Eastern Bank, whose community grants have helped further our mission, too.
To all of our community partners: thank you for believing in our work and helping make it possible.
Join The Fun!
Feeling inspired? There are plenty of ways to be part of the Helping Hands community—whether you volunteer, make a donation, spread the word or simply cheer us on.
However you choose to get involved, every helping hand makes a difference.
