There are people in every community whose quiet generosity changes lives - not through recognition or applause, but through steady acts of compassion carried out over years. For us at Sammie’s Friends, one of those people was Evelyn Maniaci.

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Evelyn was more than a donor or supporter. She was someone who deeply believed that animals deserved kindness, safety, and dignity. Her love for animals was reflected not only in what she gave financially, but in the way she showed up for this community over time, with heart, humility, and an unwavering belief that every life matters.

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At Sammie’s Friends, we often speak about the importance of community in animal welfare. The truth is simple: none of this work happens alone. Every foster home that opens its doors, every volunteer who walks a dog or comforts a frightened kitten, every donor who chooses to give - all of it creates the safety net that animals rely on.

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Because of supporters like Evelyn, we currently have more animals in foster care than ever before. That means more puppies learning what stability feels like in a home instead of a kennel. More shy dogs decompressing in quiet environments. More kittens being bottle-fed through the night. More animals healing physically and emotionally while waiting for their futures.

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Foster care changes outcomes. It shortens shelter stays, reduces stress, improves behavior, and helps animals become more adoptable. But foster programs only work when a community stands behind them.

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And our community does.

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We see it every day in the people who donate supplies, sponsor medical care, support adoption programs, shop at Nifty Thrift, volunteer their weekends, or simply choose to believe that compassionate sheltering matters. Their generosity allows us to provide enrichment, behavioral support, medical care, foster resources, and pathways to homes that would not otherwise exist.

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Animal welfare is often measured in numbers - adoptions, outcomes, intake. But behind every statistic is a network of people choosing compassion again and again.

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Evelyn Maniaci represented the very best of that spirit.

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So today, we honor Evelyn with gratitude, while also extending our heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, foster, partner, and supporter who continues to walk beside us. Your kindness directly impacts the well-being of animals across our community.

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Hope. Heart. Home.

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Those words are not possible without you.