Volunteer of the Month – MAY 2025: Marie Clarke

We’re delighted to re-introduce our Volunteer of the Month (VOTM) celebration, where we regularly spotlight some of the incredible volunteers from VOKRA’s many dedicated teams. This month, we’re thrilled to feature Marie Clarke, who has been an essential part of the VOKRA family for 11 years. Marie works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our organization stays strong, organized, and ready to help more cats and kittens.

Here’s Marie’s story in her own words:

How did you start volunteering for VOKRA?

 "Back in March 2013, my kitty Mac became very ill. Despite many tests and treatments, there was no way to save him. He was 15. It broke my heart to say goodbye, but I knew it was time to give another kitty a loving home.

 I wanted a buddy for my other cat, Freddie, so I began searching for a new friend—and that’s how I found VOKRA. I was specifically looking for a solid grey kitty and was lucky to spot one almost ready for adoption: his name was Eliot (renamed Sami).

That’s when I met Valerie, a wonderful volunteer who helped with the adoption. We clicked right away. A year later, when Freddie passed, I returned to VOKRA and found Freddi, one of the most scared kitties I’ve ever met—rescued from a hoarding situation with 25 kittens and five mama cats.

Again, I was paired with Valerie, and I mentioned I wanted to help but couldn’t foster due to condo rules. I said I was a bit of a data geek, so Valerie invited me to help with donation tracking and tax receipts—and that’s where it all began."

In what capacity have you been volunteering?

 "In 2015, when VOKRA began using DonorPerfect for donations, I joined the database team to help enter manual gifts and clean up donor records—there were around 4,700 at the time!

 In 2022, I was approached by Lea (another wonderful volunteer and board member) to take on a larger role managing DonorPerfect. Now I help with:

 * Creating fundraising forms

 * Managing monthly donors

 * Issuing receipts

 * Sending thank-you, memorial, and honour cards

 * And keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes

 There’s more to it than that—but I won’t bore you!"

What’s your favourite part of volunteering?

 "I love data entry, but more than that, knowing my work helps keep cats safe and loved until they find their forever homes means the world to me.

I’ve also enjoyed being part of fundraising teams that help vulnerable cats get the care they need. I plan to keep helping for as long as I can."

Do you have a favourite kitty?

"Since I don’t work directly with the cats, I have to say my two VOKRA boys, Sami and Freddi, are my favourites. They’re both indoor cats, living safe, calm lives—and I’m so grateful they never have to face the dangers of the outside world."

Sam and Freddie

What her teammates say:

 Jennifer and Lea, her fellow volunteers, shared:

 “Marie has been an invaluable part of the Finance team, tirelessly volunteering her time and expertise for many years.

 She manages DonorPerfect, helping donors with contributions and keeping the board informed of major donations. She also collaborates with marketing and fundraising to create email appeals and keep donors engaged.

 That’s just the beginning—Marie contributes in countless other ways, making a significant impact on our organization.

 We’re so grateful for everything she does!”

Thank you, Marie!

Your dedication, kindness, and behind-the-scenes magic make a world of difference to the cats and kittens of VOKRA. We’re lucky to have you!