Meet the Team

I love volunteering as a Board member for Little Buckets because it allows me to be involved even though I don't live nearby. It also allows me to keep up to date on what's going on and hearing about all the stories that fulfill the mission. 
 

Fun Facts: Lauren is who I learned all about horses from when I was in Maryland and she was vital in the rescue of Abby as well as how Goldie and Trigger came in my life. 

I am part of the board and secretary for Little Buckets. I love being a small part of saving sweet souls and allowing them to have a good life.

Fun Fact: Shannon has been my best friend since 1st grade. She has always been there for me and I knew having her on the board meant she would always be there for the animals. 

I volunteered at an animal rescue before I retired and wanted to continue when I moved here.  I found Little Buckets and started in January 2021, just one month before the infamous February ice storm. I like feeling that I am making a small, positive difference in a few lives.

Fun Fact: Barb found us when she dropped off a Christmas Tree for the goats. She then started volunteering with her sister Gin and yes they started right before we had no power for 11 days when we had an ice storm. They mucked stalls by headlamps and now being here almost 5 years, that's dedication. We are so thankful for their help. Barb is part of our Wednesday crew and both her and her sister have recruited several neighbors, Genela and Noelle to volunteer. They are able to drive together, have fun and make a huge impact. 

Barb fosters kittens for a local shelter and has helped save so many lives. 

A few of Gin's favorite moments volunteering: 
I used to rub Bailey's neck and he would just melt to the ground and moan - all million pounds of him!

Cleaning tator/tots barn - tot wouldn't move out of the corner so I could clean.  I asked Tator to please move tot for me.  So he put his head down and pushed tot out of the way then looked back at me....as if to say OK?
Being smothered by animal love

Fun Facts: Gin found us when her sister dropped off a Christmas Tree for the goats. Both then started volunteering and yes they started right before we had no power for 11 days when we had an ice storm. They mucked stalls by headlamps and now being here almost 5 years, that's dedication. We are so thankful for their help. Gin is part of our Wednesday crew and both her and her sister have recruited several neighbors, Genela and Noelle to volunteer. They are able to drive together, have fun and make a huge impact. 
Gin is a former flight attendant, truck driver, and now flies around the lake on her jet ski. 

I started volunteering at Little Buckets four years ago. My friends and neighbors, Gin and Barb, had been volunteering for a year and had great stories. So, I decided I wanted to get in on the fun! My favorite part is feeding the horses, Chief being my favorite! Also, l love giving bananas to Obi!

Genela is part of our Wednesday crew. We are so thankful that she wanted to join in on the fun and help make such a huge impact for the animals.

Where do I begin..first Larry is my brother and he has absolutely been vital and instrumental in Little Buckets getting off it's feet and being able to keep going. It was not the original plan for Larry to be so involved but he came to my rescue several times and in doing so, fell for the animals and being here on the farm. His list is always long but from the beginning, he has worked seriously long days doing hard, physical work as well as some not so pleasant jobs in the beginning of getting the farm cleaned up. He is our handyman, our fence guy, and so much more. 
Larry has been able to help us because his jobs have always been flexible. He still works another job 6 months of the year and comes 10 to 15 weeks a year. In 2023, Larry became a PT Employee so that I would not lose his help if he got a FT job at home. He lives in SC. With all his skills, we rarely have to call an outside company. 

I am forever grateful for his help, for his love for all the animals, and wanting to help his little sister when I really needed help. 

Fun Fact: Larry was my tennis coach from 10 years old until I went off to college.

I believe we are a reality TV show in the making, only if I could tell you all the stories of us working together here. :)

I enjoy volunteering at Little Buckets; it’s kind of like being a goat grandparent. I can go help out and enjoy the “kids” without the stress of running the farm. 

LBFS Facts: Lee has been volunteering every Thursday, unless traveling,  since the beginning of 2022 after coming to the farm to donate a Christmas Tree, she decided to become a volunteer and we are so thankful. 

Fun Facts: Lee loves to travel & is an avid biker.

Volunteering at Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary is more than just a weekly commitment; it's a great source of fulfillment. It is a place where I can slow down and find genuine joy in the little things, knowing that the simple act of showing up makes a profound and immediate difference for the animals who need it most. The sanctuary is not just a place for the animals, but also a sanctuary for humans, a community where we can come together, united by our love for animals, and be our best selves.

LBFS Facts: Noelle got recruited by her friends Barb & Gin and is part of our Wednesday crew. She recently moved so she is not able to come as often but we are so grateful she comes when she is in the area. She started volunteering in August 2024. 

Fun Facts: She recently traveled across the USA in an RV to celebrate her husband's retirement. 

 

One of Trudy's Favorite Moments: 

I fell hard for Lucca when he arrived. This small tiny white goat who was born with no front legs melted my heart. Having him sit on my lap and fall asleep is truly special except now that he is over a year old, he barely fits on my lap but we make it work because I am not giving up on my Lucca lap time. 
 

LBFS Facts: Started in November 2022 almost every Tuesday and was always willing to pick up an extra day to help. In June 2024, Trudy became a PT Employee but still volunteers her Tuesday time. Trudy helps us about 20 hours a week total which is a tremendous help. She is also able to come at a spur of a moment so on those days of an emergency she can come to be with the animals if I need to leave. Having her available like this is a huge weight off my shoulders.

 

LBFS Facts: Emily moved from the Charlotte area and reached out to volunteer and she started right at the end of 2022 . One of Emily's dogs is in a cart so she is great with Pisa and Lucca as well has a great comfort being around the horses and all the animals. Emily became a PT employee in June 2024 doing a few hours of admin work each month during her school year (She teaches kindergarten) and then comes 2 days each week during her summer break. She still volunteers time as well. Emily is also the person who stays the night when I have a family event and I am so thankful to have someone who can be "me" as I call it and do everything needed in a day. 

Cheryl started volunteering in June 2025. She is local to us and is a school teacher. We are so grateful that she wanted to join the team. 

I love volunteering at Little Buckets because the atmosphere and the animals greatly increase my inner peace. Life can be hectic, but at the farm I can take deeps breaths, enjoy the work, and hang out with amazing animals. I’m lucky to get to be there!
 

Yule started to volunteer in May 2025 

Fun Fact: His cousin is who adopted Arizona. 

Robin is Larry's wife and she has been helping since Little Buckets began when they both came to the farm and at times, they have lived here. (Her job is remote) When we rescued Tater & Tot during Covid, they both were living here and spent hours with the boys working with them. I truly believe they would not be where they are today without her help. Now when they come, she takes them for long walks around the farm which they love. They will fall asleep in her lap and they love her so much. We are so thankful for all she does to help here with the boys and so much more.  

I've been vegan for 15+ years, but hadn't really spent much time with pigs before volunteering at Little Buckets. Maggie and Clover, who, unfortunately, have both passed away, completely stole my heart. Their excitement to see me every time I visited and their kind and gentle souls always brightened my day. The animals at Little Buckets are no different from the pets we live with, and I wish more people could see farm animals in a compassionate light and choose a plant-based lifestyle.

Fun Fact: After seeing Colton & Willow's Dodo Video, Natalie started following us then decided to make a huge move across the US from California - looking in a 100 mile radius of Little Buckets so she could visit and volunteer. And believe it or not she made that happen and has been volunteering since November 2020 traveling 2 hours each way when she volunteers. We are so grateful for her help when she can make the trip & for her compassion for all animals. 
 

I started volunteering at Little Buckets in 2021! It was truly a dream realized as being amidst so many beautiful and unconditionally loving souls reminded me why I am vegan and re-inspired me to be better and to do more. Susan is a true super-human in her endless capacity to love and care for each and every animal at the sanctuary. She has helped me to believe in humanity again in so many ways. Her dedication as a guardian and care-taker is unyielding and is beyond incredible. 

I cannot choose a favorite as each animal has such a unique spirit and a beautiful story. I will say that being Journey’s sponsor mom is a privilege. To look into the eyes of such a majestic and soulful creature like Journey is to know that he and every being is in this world for their own reasons and their own purpose. Journey’s life and his rescue  hold such meaning for me as he represents the freedom, love and protection that I believe all animals deserve and that I will fight for every day that I am on this planet with them.

I am forever grateful to Little Buckets for just existing and so happy to be a small part of such a wonderful place!

LBFS Facts: Erin drives 2 hours each way to come help us. Because of this, Erin is only able to volunteer a few times a year but we are so grateful to have her help and she is always advocating for animals. 

Fun Facts: Erin is a doctor by profession. And she is working on a new project tying her profession and the benefits of being vegan.