NORFOLK, Va. — A dedicated volunteer who's worked countless hours fostering shelter dogs and helping them get adopted was surprised with a News 3 Everyday Hero award!
Nancy Tucker was nearly speechless when she stepped inside the Norfolk SPCA and was greeted with applause from SPCA staff and the person who nominated her.
I told Nancy we've been hearing great things about her, including from Terri Baer, who nominated her.
"She is just nonstop and she just gives and gives. It's not like a job for her, she just does it out of the goodness of her heart and Norfolk SPCA probably thinks she's the bigger treasure of all," said Baer.
Tammy Linquist, the SPCA Community Engagement Manager, agrees.
"I want to tell you: Nancy Tucker is one of the most amazing volunteers that you will ever, ever know. She never says no," said Linquist.
Cara Olsen, SPCA's Donor Relations Manager, also sang her praises.
"The dogs love it at her house and she gets them adopted. She knows so many people; she has a great network," said Olsen.
For all of those reasons, News 3 presented Nancy with an Everyday Hero award along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank. Nancy was very grateful and thankful.
"I just do it because it's the right thing to do and the puppies deserve a chance to live," said Nancy.
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Nancy Swims, SPCA's Director of Operations, fought back tears and got emotional talking about Nancy's impact.
"She means a lot of things... She's just a special person and we wouldn't be able to save as many lives without her. And there aren't a lot of people who will take one or two puppies but she takes seven, eight, nine, 10 at one time—entire litters," said Swims.
I asked Nancy if she had a ballpark figure of how many dogs she's fostered. She answered, "Well, I've been fostering for the SPCA for four years and so I think it's around 200 puppies that I fostered."
Terri summed up Nancy's impact on the shelter and the dogs' lives, saying: "As soon as she's got one group of pups out the door she's got another group of pups coming in, so she's just truly dedicated and has the biggest heart."
