DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : CATHY SERKSNAS.Byline: - Kathleen Cole One Saturday, Cathy Serksnas was volunteering at her local animal shelter "Dog Pound" redirects here. For the rap group, see Tha Dogg Pound. An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats. , and an elderly woman came in to adopt a kitten. Cathy helped her find just the right kitten. ``I love this kitten,'' said the woman. ``I'd really love two kittens, but I just can't afford it.'' Without even thinking, Cathy made her a deal: ``If you really want this, it's on me.'' Of course, adopting a spayed spay tr.v. spayed, spay·ing, spays To remove surgically the ovaries of (an animal). [Middle English spaien, from Anglo-Norman espeier, to cut with a sword kitten costs approximately $50, and Cathy didn't have any money with her at the moment. So she borrowed the money from one of her co-workers, paying him back later that same day, and paid the adoptions fees for the woman's second kitten. ``She was really happy. All that matters is that - and one more cat adopted,'' says Cathy. RESIDENCE: Northridge BORN AND RAISED IN: Chicago. Cathy moved to Northridge with her husband 10 years ago. OCCUPATION: Cathy is director of business operations Business operations are those activities involved in the running of a business for the purpose of producing value for the stakeholders. Compare business processes. The outcome of business operations is the harvesting of value from assets for Time Warner Communications in Chatsworth. MARITAL STATUS marital status, n the legal standing of a person in regard to his or her marriage state. : Married to Art since 1980. CHILDREN: None ... yet. VOLUNTEERISM: Cathy is vice chair on the board of directors for Los Angeles Mission College Los Angeles Mission College is a two-year community college located in Sylmar, California neighborhood of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley, United States. It is part of the Los Angeles Community College District. Foundation, where she helps with fund-raising events, securing donations, seeking grants from local businesses and ``trying to be available for whatever is needed.'' In addition, she spends every other Saturday at the West Valley Animal Shelter in Chatsworth helping match people with pets. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?: Already a big advocate of community colleges, Cathy found it easy to say yes when she was approached to serve on the Mission College Foundation board. As for the animal shelter, Cathy says, ``I've been an animal lover all my life. When we first moved here, I found an elderly golden retriever golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). that had been abandoned and ended up adopting her.'' WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?: ``I spent a lot of time doing things for myself, and I think there's more to life than pursuing my own goals. I have the education and resources to do some good. I like to deal with people and to use the things I learned in life and school to help others. We need to just try; to have a vision and go for it. It happens and it makes you feel good. I could be doing other things, sure, but it's not so important (as this).'' BIGGEST DILEMMA: ``Maybe things take a little bit longer to accomplish because you're a volunteer,'' says Cathy, ``but I'm not complaining. That's just the way it is.'' FAVORITE DAILY TASK: ``That first cup of coffee; it's the simple things in life that make you happy.'' GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: ``Achieving my MBA MBA abbr. Master of Business Administration Noun 1. MBA - a master's degree in business Master in Business, Master in Business Administration . I worked days and went to school at night. If you're focused, you can do anything. Like that old saying: `The only limitations you have are the ones you place on yourself.' What it all boils down to is your family and your health, but I still like nice cars - fast ones.'' ROLE MODELS: ``My father quit school when he was 17 to join the Army. He was wounded in World War II and got the Purple Heart Purple Heart U.S. medal awarded to those wounded in military action. [Am. Hist.: Misc.] See : Bravery . After that, he went back to school and got his high school diploma A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and higher education. An equivalent is the GED. . Then he went to night school and got an engineering degree. At the same time, he was married to my mom and starting a family. He died when I was 18, and I remember there were 75 cars in the funeral procession. He had a big effect on the community.'' HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?: ``Today, it's trying to enjoy life. I think everybody deserves to be happy. When you're happy with yourself, everything else falls into place.'' FAVORITE VALLEY HANGOUTS: Sierra's on Canoga Avenue and Paoli's on Ventura Boulevard Ventura Boulevard is one of the primary east-west thouroughfares in the San Fernando Valley; as it was originally a part of the El Camino Real (the trail between Spanish missions), Ventura Boulevard is the oldest route in the San Fernando Valley. It was also U.S. . ``I love Mexican food. Once a week it's a must-have.'' FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: ``I like to walk and work out. My husband and I like to go hiking on Rocky Peak Rocky Peak is the name of the 3rd highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, which overlook both Chatsworth and Simi Valley, in Southern California. The peak, which is 2,714 feet above sea level, sits on the Los Angeles County/Ventura County line. Trail in Chatsworth. We also like to go sailing to Catalina or the Channel Islands.'' WHAT WOULD BE A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU?:``I love rainy Saturdays when there's nothing to do; the house is already clean. I read, watch TV, maybe go to a show or just have my coffee and watch the rain. That's relaxing.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Cathy Serksnas volunteers at Los Angeles Mission College and the West Valley Animal Shelter. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
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