Volunteer Profile: Sophie Duckett
WCSV’s Sophie Duckett Wins VRL Recognition
by Janet Alexander Thompson
In April, several of us attended the San Jose Junior League’s Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, an event that promotes and recognizes contributions of volunteers throughout the South Bay who use their time, skills and talents to help improve the lives of others. This year, the League honored Sophie Duckett with VRL’s special 40th Anniversary Award for her 20-plus years of service to wildlife as a volunteer.
Sophie is a remarkable woman and a longtime champion of animals. She started at the Center in 1987 (when it was still part of the Humane Society) after discovering its existence when 12 ducklings became trapped in her pool. Beginning as a shift volunteer, Sophie cared for baby birds and mammals at the Center and eventually became a home care volunteer, raising juvenile birds for release to the wild.
In 2002, the Center desperately needed a satellite home care facility to raise fawns. Sophie stepped up to fill that need and became a dedicated member of the Deer Team. She built an outdoor enclosure at her home, and each year since has rehabilitated numerous fawns for several months until they are released in the early fall. Sophie also provides outreach to members of the public as well as to local and state enforcement agencies. She goes on rescues and assists various agencies with her expertise to help orphaned and injured deer.
In 2007, Sophie joined the Board of Directors where she wears several hats—from planning events to helping with outreach. Whenever tasks are delegated, Sophie is willing to become involved.
As if all of this wasn’t more than enough for any one volunteer to undertake, Sophie co-chairs the Event Committee and single-handedly cooks and prepares gourmet food for more than 100 guests for fundraising events held each year by the Center. She has played a key role in making these events successful.
Sophie is a hardworking, hands-on volunteer, whether at home preparing formula to feed the fawns or feeding a crowd of people. She is constantly doing something and is even willing to tackle the dirtiest, most difficult jobs. She has endless energy and compassion and works diligently and quietly, accomplishing what needs to be done, nurturing whomever needs nurturing. Congratulations Sophie—you deserve this recognition!
This article first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of Tracks.
