By HEAL Staff Writer Jessica Martinez
We are fortunate to live in a community with kind and generous people willing to give back what they can. HEAL & The Nest Domestic Violence Shelter are lucky to have Kevin Shaughnessy.
Kevin is retired from the San Diego Fire Department and Army (SFC) and has lived in Ruidoso since April of 2013. He was born in Michigan, then moved to California in 1954. His wife, June, recently retired from her work as a Victim Advocate at Lincoln County’s first and only domestic violence shelter, the Nest. She is now working at Sweet Charity, the upscale resale boutique whose proceeds benefit The Nest.
Kevin began helping at the shelter by volunteering to do yard work such as weed eating and tree trimming. That work evolved into fixing broken items, transferring the shelter’s considerable recyclables to the recycle plant and moving heavy items.
“Kevin is willing to do whatever we need, including volunteering to fill in as a driver to transport clients to court, medical appointments and work at all hours of the day and night,” explained Susanne Francis, Operations Director at the Nest. “He always comes in with a smiling face and a good story to tell. We are very appreciative of his kindness and thankful to have him as part of our HEAL family.”
Kevin volunteered to be “arrested” last October as part of the HEAL Jail & Bail fundraiser put on by Walton Stations and sponsored by Dr Pepper, Walmart, and Subway. The event raised money for HEAL & The Nest, as well as the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse.
“Knowing how much my wife, June, is involved with HEAL and what the organization stands for,” Shaughnessy said. “I feel privileged to help the women and children of domestic violence in any way I can.”