INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Maria is hooked on volunteering at the Pet Network because her real passion is animals. She has been a resident of Incline since 1969 and originally moved to the upper areas of the village where snow is plentiful and lasts a little longer than at lake level. But Maria is just not a winter person, so the family soon moved to a lower elevation.

“I prefer to sit in front of the fireplace and work on a quilt to going out in the snow,” she said. “Quilting is my primary passion after animals.”

She admits she probably has enough fabric to make quilts for many years to come, so long winters will probably not bother her for awhile.

Maria has retired from her full-time job as an insurance underwriter with the state of Nevada, and her husband retired from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Both devote time to volunteering in our community.

When Maria attended an orientation class about three years ago at Pet Network, she knew this was where she wanted to spend time volunteering, and she now works at the reception desk.

“My all-time favorite has to be my time at Pet Network Humane Society,” she said about volunteering. “I really feel it is a privilege to work here and volunteer and interact with the animals and members of the staff.”

She has helped care for many of the long-term animals at the shelter and adores each and every one. Many animals are fortunate enough to be able to spend time greeting visitors with her at the front desk.

Maria treasures all of the friends she has in Incline, loves the weather most of the time (not days with lots of snow or cold) and of course the breathtaking scenery. The local wildlife, birds and animals, keep her watching out her window when she is not volunteering or working on a new quilt.

If you would like to Meet Your Neighbor, Maria Neve, stop in at the Pet Network!

If you know of someone in our community who is a long-time resident, loves to work as a volunteer or is just a great neighbor, contact jeick@tahoebonanza.com or call 775-831-4666.