DETROIT, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its annual recognition of community service, Waste Management of Michigan/Ohio has selected Deanna West of Lake Orion, Michigan to receive its most prestigious community award as "Volunteer of the Year" for the Michigan and Ohio region.

For the past seven years, Deanna West has devoted herself to volunteering for the Canine Companions Rescue Center, rescuing dogs and finding loving, permanent homes for them. Despite holding down a full-time job as Operations Specialist for Waste Management in Detroit, she logged in more than 800 hours of volunteering last year alone. In fact, she has exceeded 800 volunteer hours each year for the past seven years.

"Deanna works tirelessly to save dogs – her efforts really are extraordinary," said Beth Schmucker, Senior Community Relations Manager for Waste Management. "She rescues dogs from animal control centers to save them from being put to sleep." Through her amazing efforts, West has saved the lives of more than 1,000 dogs.

Beyond serving as a foster parent and rescuing dogs, West has also taken on a leadership role at the Canine Companions Rescue Center, conducting training and coaching for other foster parents. The Center thinks so highly of West's work that they sent her, three years ago, to become a Certified Veterinarian Assistant. With this professional certification, West is able to administer shots and provide other medical support at the rescue center.

As part of her Volunteer of the Year award, West received a distinctive glass award made from 100 percent recycled bottle glass. Waste Management is also contributing $1,000 to West's charity of choice.

"Those dogs are innocent victims and to look in their eyes, you know you're really making a difference by finding a loving home for them," West said. "There is no greater gift you could give them than saving their life."

Waste Management is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services. Waste Management makes it its business to Think Green®, positioning the organization to deliver lasting solutions to the environmental challenges our planet will face in the 21st century. For more information on Waste Management, go to wm.com or thinkgreenfromhome.com.

SOURCE Waste Management

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