SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — Although leaders of the Nicholas County Humane Society didn’t know Sarah Beckstrom, they believe they shared a lot of the same feelings when it came to animals.
Beckstrom died of a gunshot wound she suffered while on patrol with the National Guard in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers to honor her, Beckstrom’s family this week requested donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to the Nicholas County Humane Society in her honor.
“We’re incredibly grateful and thankful to the family that they thought of us,” said Elizabeth Bailes, Co-Director of the organization in Summersville.
Bailes said unlike some counties, they do not run the Nicholas County Animal Shelter. The facility is maintained by the county commission, but the local Humane Society does work closely with the shelter staff to provide care to animals housed there and to be an outlet for donors.
“We assist all of the animals in the shelter, so we are the 501 C-3. We do the spay-neuter program,” said Bailes.
She added the donations will be a huge blessing since Nicholas County is a poor county and there isn’t a big budget for spaying and neutering despite the widespread need. Bailes said when the donations are made, that’s where they go.
“They’re going to go straight to Nicholas Animal Hospital and they’ll be placed directly on an account for us to use this money there at the animal hospital,” said Bailes.
As for Beckstrom, Bailes said they were not acquainted and to her knowledge they had never met, but seem to be cut from the same cloth.
“I did not know her. I know she was from Webster County and worked and lived in Summersville. I’ve never met her personally so to us it was a bit of a surprise. Apparently she’s an animal lover, which is near and dear to my heart,” she said.
Donations to the Humane Society can be mailed to P.O. Box 272, Summersville, W.Va. 26651.