By KARLA POMEROY
Editor
Cliame honored with Extra Mile Award
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Karla Pomeroy
The Worland City Council and Mayor Jim Gill honored New Hope Humane Society Directory Edie Cliame with the Extra Mile Award at the council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 7. Pictured are (back row, l-r): Council members Adam Martinez, William Worley, Barbara Brookwell, Peter Caldero, Kreg Lombard, Rebecca George, Mike Neufer and Wendy Fredricks; (front row, l-r): New Hope staff Chase Harris, Christen Anderson, Amy Torres, Mayor Gill, Cliame and Deb Coronado.
Worland Mayor Jim Gill presented the Extra Mile Award to New Hope Humane Society Director Edie Claime during Tuesday night's regular meeting.
In his presentation, Gill said, "Going the Extra Mile ... is a program to recognize special people, groups or businesses who have met the criteria of caring, sharing and donating their time to making our community a better place to live."
He said Cliame "has done an incredible job to keep our pet community of cats, dogs and other animals cared for when they really need that helping hand. She is a very compassionate and caring person yet stern when it comes down to animal cruelty I'm told."
Longtime employee Deb Coronado said, "In my opinion, there is no one more deserving of an award such as this than Edie. Managing and operating a shelter like New Hope Humane Society is not an easy job on a person's heart."
She said it would be easy for a person in that position to deny animals brought in. She added, "It might also be easy for managers such as this to have animals euthanized when the shelter gets full. But Edie doesn't do this. It's her policy to take in any animal that is possible for the employees to care for. That way they're not on the streets reproducing.
"For her animals always come first. She shows them love and care no matter what their story is, and it's usually not a very good one.
"Edie also expects her staff to show the animals the same love and care. She gives each animal time and many chances to show their best parts of the personality so they can be adopted.
"Not only does Edie love each animal unconditionally, she has also worked many long hours at the Humane Society without extra pay ... Edie is one of the most selfless persons I know."
Gill read comments from veterinarian Steve Tharp, who said Cliame works with grace and humility and is a "true point of light."
Cliame has been helping animals for more than 30 years. Her work began when her parents fostered homeless cats and kittens on their patio. The family then got some dog kennels and built an enclosure to help dogs as well.
In 1987 the New Hope Humane Society was incorporated, then in 1999 the current facility was built and opened in October, thanks to the help of the Newell Sargent Foundation. The pet crematorium was built in 2000 and while it provides a service for people dealing with the loss of a beloved pet, it also provides funds for the Humane Society.
Cliame said she continues to work at the Humane Society because of her love for animals. She noted that after her husband Gene passed she felt there was "no reason to retire. I'm grateful I'm healthy enough to do the work that needs to be done."
Cliame noted that New Hope is always in need of donations, whether it is food, kitty litter, toys, treats or monetary donations, which are tax exempt.
"I appreciate being recognized and having the support of the city. We are always in need of support; it's a never ending need," she said.
More on the council meeting will be published in next week's Northern Wyoming News.
