AARF Executive Board

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All About AARF \| Executive Board \| Board of Directors
The AARF Executive Board works hard to help Richmond animals. Please read below to find out more about the exceptional people who comprise our Executive Board.
AARF PRESIDENT - Charlene Wood - Charlene has been with AARF for about 8 years (2006). She first became introduced to AARF when she rescued an abused dog from her neighbor. Charlene started working at the kennel and began working with the Dog Chair at that time to find homes for abandoned animals. She is returning for her third term as President. Charlene contributes a great deal to the organization by fostering our relationships with the kennel as well as other rescue groups. Charlene plays a crucial role on the Dog Committee as Foster Chair and works continuous trying to place our dogs into temporary loving foster homes. Charlene also helps with special events and is on the Board of Directors.
AARF FIRST VICE PRESIDENT - Karen Malechek - Karen joined AARF in 2002 when she saw Albert at a stand. She is a 3rd grade teacher in Henrico county. Karen has 2 AARF dogs of her own and has done a great job of running the weekly dog stands at PetSmart.
AARF SECOND VICE PRESIDENT - Shelley Simon - Shelley joined AARF in 2002 as a foster mom. She, along with her other half Rick, have fostered over 70 dogs through the years and spend Saturdays at PetSmart working at the adoption stand. She also helps with the AARF web pages and is the keeper of the AARF database. She has 2 dog children of her own: Woody, a 7 year old black lab, and Sally, a 9 year old black lab mix. Her cat children include Bully and Lucky, who help train new foster dogs in their interaction with cats.
AARF CORRESPONDING SECRETARY - Mishell Fricke - Mishell joined AARF in 2004 as a volunteer. She helps out at the adoption stands, the kennel, and with special events. She also transports dogs and delivers them to their new homes. She was AARF's recording secretary last year and is now the corresponding secretary. In addition, she is the volunteer coordinator. Mishell has a 4-year-old black lab named Jake and is fostering Ellie, a Dutch shepherd.
AARF RECORDING SECRETARY - Leslie Harrach - Leslie joined AARF in 2006 as a foster parent. She continues to foster AARF dogs and puppies. She helps out with AARF’s adoption stand, application process, special events, and other duties as much as possible. She became AARF’s recording secretary in 2006 and continues in that position this year. She has two rescued dogs of her own: Samson, a 3-year-old pharaoh hound mix, and Hunter, a 4-year-old pointer mix. She also has Duke, an 11 year old Ragdoll cat, who loves to play with the dogs and keep them in line. She fosters Jackie, a 2-year-old beagle/hound mix who was a Katrina Rescue, and Isabelle, a 6-month-old puppy, who should have no problem finding a forever home soon.
AARF TREASURER - Cindy Chiles-Smith- Cindy first joined AARF about 5 years ago when she ran into one of AARF's stands at PetSmart.She volunteered to help bottle-feed kittens and then puppies. Cindy has been rescuing and fostering puppies and dogs ever since. She was Recording Secretary for two years and now is running for the position of Treasurer. Cindy also runs adoption stands every weekend, sends updates to the AARF site and makes deliveries. She has been instrumental in maintaining AARF's presence on the Petfinders web site by submitting articles and pictures. Cindy is a tremendous help with various fundraising events and is now going to be the new fund raising chairperson. Cindy helps keep all our dogs and puppies well by giving all the shots and wormings for each dog and puppy. She is also one of the dog chairs and is also on the Board of Directors.

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