If you think you will be bored after retirement, talk to Beacon Animal Rescue’s Senior Volunteer Al Reese, the manager of the Beacon’s facility. Al’s typi­cal day starts at

7:00 a.m. with his wife Kathy by his side and his day doesn’t end until after 5:00 p.m. on most days and consists of cleaning, computer work, and adoptions.

Al retired from the Bayside State Prison in 2002 where he was a part of the food service management team. He didn’t get started right away as a volunteer at Beacon but followed his wife’s lead. “Kathy had been volunteer­ing at Beacon for about a year before I got involved. I started going in just to help her with feeding and cleaning the dogs and cats when before I knew it I was a member of the Board of Directors. I went from being the temporary manager to the full time manager of the facility. I searched for a long time to figure out what God would like me to do with my retirement years. Then the answer to my retire­ment question was answered, ‘I am to find good homes with nice families for homeless pets and help with the daily operations of the shelter.’ This experience has been an extremely rewarding job for me that I enjoy very much and will continue as long as I am able or as long as Beacon needs me.”

Retired from the accounting department of Exxon, Marilee Weiser spends her Wednesday through Saturday mornings cleaning kennels and the cat room while playing with the dogs and giving TLC to the cats. “ I look forward to coming in to Beacon in the morning to see all my babies. “The animals’ com­fort and happiness make me feel happy.”

Howard and Bernadette Drager who retired from their own business of 20 years (Island Mortgages of NJ), arrive on most mornings at 7:00 a.m. to feed the dogs and clean the kennels. “We saw a Beacon flyer at Shore Vets asking for volunteers and here we are.” “We love the animals and the joy they bring to our lives.” Howard is also the founder and editor of Beacon’s newsletter which is circulated to their over 100 members. “I had the idea to start a newsletter to acknowledge the contributions of members, volunteers, donors, adopters, and make them feel like they are a part of the Beacon Team.” Bernadette is also the Secretary on the Board of Directors.

Virginia and Milan Steffel can be found most afternoons social­izing the cats. “We have always enjoyed pets. During our ten years in the Philippines with our son, we helped him take care of his chickens, a monkey, and two Dalmatians.” They have already adopted, Dallas, an 8 year old cat, and are looking for a playmate for him. At home they do their “homework” which consists of collecting newspaper and neatly unfolding them to use in the cat room.