Dee Carey was among the honorees at last weekend’s Americana Awards at Cypress College. Carey was the Seal Beach recipient of the 2015 Citizen of the Year Award.
Since committing herself to volunteer service in 2007, Dee Carey has become a familiar figure in Seal Beach. Rather than spread her efforts widely, Carey has focused her talents on a cause close to her heart —the rescue and adoption of abandoned, abused, homeless and neglected animals.
Born in Boulder and raised in Wauwatosa, WI and Canoga Park, Carey went on to study at Cal State Northridge. She has a B.A. in Home Economics, but is quick to point out that she doesn’t cook or sew. So why Home Economics? “I was newly married and it seemed like a good idea at the time.” she laughs. Growing up, Carey always had a special draw to animals, especially cats. Carey moved from the San Fernando Valley to Seal Beach 29 years ago. When she retired, the Seal Beach Animal Care Center was one of many organizations with which she planned to spend her time. However, when she realized just how overwhelming the needs were at the Center she got more involved than originally planned. “There was just so much to do… The organization is entirely run by volunteers. And the work was so satisfying. I love hearing from others ‘I adopted my pet from you.’”
Carey determined that one of the critical needs at the Care Center was a more coordinated fundraising program. She then took the lead in putting on major events. She has applied for and received grants for the center from the Boeing Corporation and from the Run Seal Beach organization.
Carey also spearheaded an overhaul of the Care Center website (www.sbacc.org.), which Carey now manages.
By joining the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, she gave the Care Center an added voice in the business community to encourage greater assistance of and collaboration with the Center.
