Volunteer Spotlight: Coreen Koski & Family
When Coreen and her family first began volunteering with Chicagoland Animal Rescue in January 2020, they had no idea just how much the rescue would become part of their lives. “I can’t believe it’s been over six years already!” she says — and what an incredible six years it has been.
It all started with a simple trip to PetSmart. Coreen and her daughter Kaylee walked past the cat room, struck up a conversation with one of the volunteers, and asked if help was needed. Even though they already had a beloved orange tabby at home named Tess, Coreen had quickly become fascinated with one very special cat: Gypsy, the rescue’s famously grumpy resident queen.
Is This Love?
Unfortunately for Coreen, Gypsy didn’t exactly return the admiration.
“Little did I know, Gypsy did NOT feel the same,” she laughs.
Still, Coreen and Kaylee jumped right in and began volunteering regularly. When COVID hit shortly after, they helped clear the adoption space and find homes for the cats during an uncertain time. Gypsy was one of the first cats adopted, and before she left, Coreen got one final surprise — she was actually allowed to hold her.
“I think it was her parting gift for me,” she says.
Gypsy has since passed away, but her memory clearly still holds a special place in Coreen’s heart.
Coreen’s daughter Kaylee, while volunteering at PetSmart
Today, Coreen and her family continue supporting CAR as foster volunteers, helping countless cats begin their journey to forever homes. One of her favorite parts of fostering is hearing adoption updates and seeing how much the cats thrive with their new families.
In fact, the very first two cats her family fostered ended up being adopted by her dad and his partner — even after previously insisting they were “not a cat person.”
“My how three years have changed that,” Coreen says. “I get a phone call or text daily about something adorable ‘the boys’ have done. It’s the best kind of adoption success!”
Coreen’s husband caring for CAR foster kitties Eefer and Cupcake (Yes, they are adoptable right now!)
Beyond fostering, Coreen is always eager to jump in wherever help is needed. Whether it’s craft fairs, garage sales, or community engagement events, she loves helping spread the word about the rescue and raising much-needed funds to support the cats in CAR’s care.
Outside of rescue life, Coreen and her family love to travel. She and her husband proudly admit they caught the “cruise bug” early and try to take at least one cruise every year. This year also includes plenty of road trips to Michigan to visit their daughter and her fiancé while they attend school together.
“Go Lakers!” she adds proudly.
But perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering for Coreen has been the friendships she’s built along the way.
