Volunteer Spotlight: Judy York

For March 2022, the SPCA Albrecht Center recognizes volunteer Judy York. Originally from Connecticut, Judy and her husband relocated to Aiken in June 2020 and have fallen in love with “the weather, the history and, most importantly, the people” in this beautiful Southern city. By the following summer, Judy had settled in to her new home and was ready to find a rewarding way to connect with her community. She applied to the SPCA’s volunteer program with the focus of socializing with the shelter cats, and she was pleasantly surprised to learn the SPCA also needed retail volunteers to help at the SPCA Thrift Store.

Helping at the SPCA Thrift Store was exactly what Judy’s heart needed, and the store staff feel the same way about her. In addition to her wonderful career as a public-school teacher, Judy also had a side gig from 2004 to 2020 selling merchandise in an antique shop. She was missing her small vintage resale store back home and was thrilled to start this volunteer opportunity.

Thom, the store’s manager, describes Judy as “an outstanding volunteer. She is very outgoing and a team player.” Judy typically volunteers once a week for about 4 hours and began organizing the store’s books, toys, and crafts area. Most recently, the store needed help sorting donated linens, and Judy was happy to lend a hand with the vintage crocheted and embroidered items. Judy, in turn, lists the praises of the store’s “amazing, welcoming, and hard-working staff” and always feels appreciated by the team.

Judy is also a proud member of the Cedar Creek Ladies Club. This non-profit group of likeminded women from the community gather each month to socialize and put forth noteworthy fundraising efforts for various non-profits. Within this club, Judy serves on the Ways and Means committee as well as Good Works committee. The Good Works committee distributes yearly grants to non-profit groups whose missions speak to the hearts of these women, and the SPCA has been a fortunate recipient. Judy delivered Milk-Bones and monetary donations collected during their February meeting to benefit the shelter.

Animal rescue holds a special place in the York family as they’ve adopted many homeless cats. The family includes two long-haired, calico beauties, China and Bella, who have had no trouble adjusted to their new Aiken home with ease. They particularly enjoy lounging on the screen porch watching the birds flit and flutter at the bird feeders. Even a tricky gecko will stop by for a great game of hide and seek, just outside the reach of his watchful audience. When away from her lovely pets, Judy like to kayak, walk, shop, read, and quilt and she looks forward to additional adventures the South may have in store for her. She even might pick up some golfing skills!

The SPCA Albrecht Center is so proud to have a volunteer like Judy York on the team! As the SPCA Thrift Store grows fond of her giving spirit and can-do attitude, the shelter animals benefit from her endeavors.