Board members highlight Huntsville’s volunteer spirit and community support ahead of Oct. 25 event
Board Members Share Passion for Local Animal Care
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Leaders from the Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter joined the Good Morning Huntsville program to share details about their upcoming fundraiser and reflect on the shelter’s deep ties to the community. Board members Kelly Crews, Jill Driscoll, and Mac Woodward said the event will help sustain the shelter’s operations, which are entirely funded by local donations.
“I have been working now for about three and a half months and loving that, and always love serving my time on the Rita Huff board,” Crews said. “We’re so blessed that we could be here to talk about this great event today.”
Driscoll, who has served on the board for several years, added that her family’s roots in Huntsville run deep. “It’s a wonderful experience. They do great work there, and we just love these sweet animals,” she said.
Decades of Dedication and Community Spirit
Woodward, whose father served on the original board that founded the shelter, said his family’s involvement is a continuation of a legacy of community service. “I grew up in Huntsville and have been here all my life,” he said. “My dad was on the original board when it started and when they built the original shelter. I’m kind of carrying on his tradition.”
He credited Huntsville’s volunteer spirit as the city’s defining strength. “The thing that is unique about Huntsville is the spirit of the people here,” Woodward said. “If you can’t find what you want to do, start something, because you’ll get somebody to follow you.”
Fundraiser Set for October 25
The shelter will host its annual Trivia Night fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. The event will feature food from local restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Rodeo Mexican Grill, Carbonas, and Jimmy John’s, as well as items from the Huntsville Culinary Team.
“There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and finger foods, so you can still play and enjoy great food,” Crews said. “We’ll have four rounds of trivia, some of it animal-related, and prizes for winners each round.”
Tickets are $75 per person, and table sponsorships are available. Proceeds benefit the shelter’s care programs and operating costs. Tickets can be purchased by calling 936-295-4666 or visiting the shelter at 2675 Veterans Memorial Parkway.
New Facility Funded by Local Support
Crews praised the community for helping fund the shelter’s new facility. “We are 100% donation-funded,” she said. “There’s no state or tax money that supports us. The beautiful property on Veterans Memorial and our two buildings were made possible entirely by the generosity of this community.”
Woodward added that the shelter’s mission extends beyond animal welfare. “Animal care is part of a health issue and a quality-of-life issue,” he said. “We serve Walker County, and we’re very focused on that.”
Driscoll encouraged residents to visit the new facility, particularly the “cat room” where visitors can watch cats play and interact. “They’re adorable,” she said. “Please take an opportunity to come out on October 25 for our fundraiser, but also go by the shelter and see the beautiful animals and the beautiful facility that we have.”
Continuing the Spirit of Giving
The board members also invited volunteers to participate in daily shelter activities. “If you enjoy doing that, come by the shelter,” Woodward said. “You can walk a dog or play with a cat. We’d love to have volunteers in the community come by and just have a good time.”
Crews summed up the shelter’s mission simply: “We’re so blessed to have this facility and community. We definitely want to thank everyone for the work you’ve already done — and we want you to celebrate with us.”
Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter Serves Walker County With Compassion and Care
Founded more than 40 years ago, the Rita B. Huff Humane Society of Walker County provides shelter, medical care, and adoption services for homeless and abandoned animals in the Huntsville area. The organization operates entirely through donations and volunteer support, serving as a vital resource for animal welfare and community outreach. To learn more or support their mission, visit https://www.ritabhuff.org.
