Amy B

I remember the first time I came in contact with this Compassionate Action for Animals. It was about three years ago today when I got my very first "Why Vegan" pamphlet from a CAA leafletter (whom I later learned was Jason Ketola) when I was a student at Inver Hills Community college. I opened it up and read through the entire thing. That very same day I decided to go vegan. I had never learned abut factory farming or the cruel treatment to so many farm animals. I never gave a thought to the meat I was eating before this. I never asked what were the environmental impacts of this meat and how does the animal I am eating feel and get treated during its short life. Realizing how many other people most likely have not been informed about this I wanted to help get the information out. It wasn't until about 6 months later when I would run into CAA again.

I had just transferred to The U of MN and on this fated day in particular my friend Jeff had dragged me with him to the U of MN's community involvement fair. Walking to and away from the different tables I ran into CAA table. I got pretty excited, and filled out a volunteer form. The next week I attended the new member meeting, and took on my first outreach activity. I remember this activity in particular. I had agreed to take on our Halloween Outreach. I had a few days to plan for it. I didn't have a lot of volunteers that were able to help on such short notice. It was a chilly October day outside Coffman and I was dressed in my bunny attire with my vegan friendly candy and handout ready to give the candy and info to the masses. Some people just walked by rolling their eyes, some were welcoming and took the candy and pamphlet graciously, while some just took the candy. Thought their was some low points of the day I will never forget the girl that was so excited to take the handout and candy, she explained to me, "My sister will be so happy about this - she just went vegan and I know she will appreciate this. Thank you." Ever since this I have been volunteering with CAA doing tabling, event planning, outreach, decorating and accounting. I stick with them because I believe in how we go about our mission.