A Farewell to Dedication: Memories and Moments with Our Beloved Volunteers – Kathy and Ron Buhta

After 14 remarkable years of service, Ron and Kathy Buhta officially “retired” from their dedicated roles at MN SNAP in November. Their commitment to the organization was unwavering, as we could count on them to be present when scheduled, bringing positivity and warmth to our clinic.

Their journey with MN SNAP began in March 2011 when they answered a simple ad in the Star Tribune. Over the years, they transformed their passion for helping animals into a remarkable legacy, touching the lives of countless staff, families and pets.

A Vietnam veteran, Ron honors his commitment to MN SNAP and passionately supports veterans through art classes. His heart shines through in his maintenance work at MN SNAP and his artistic creations, celebrating Native American artistry and enchanting fairy gardens.

Kathy’s nurturing spirit embraces MN SNAP’s “kids,” delighting in the happiness of families with their pets. Beyond her volunteer efforts, she spreads warmth through her knitting and deepens connections with loved ones, including a pen pal in England she hasn’t seen in years. Together, they cherish their role as grandparents, including three adopted Ojibway children, and build a family filled with love and creativity.

The commitment of MN SNAP volunteers is truly inspiring, and Ron and Kathy’s dedication showcases this spirit. Their hard work and passion have made a lasting impact, demonstrating what giving back to the community means.

Dr. Emily shares, “Ron and Kathy have been so giving of their time to MN SNAP over the years, and we really look forward to seeing them every other Friday! Ron will fix just about anything and everything in addition to running constant loads of laundry, and Kathy is one of the most dependable pack volunteers, keeping the volunteer area fastidiously clean. They are always so cheerful; it brightens our day every time they come. Thank you, Ron and Kathy!!”

We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering commitment to MN SNAP and the countless lives they touched throughout their time with us.