Turning Hardship Into Help: Volunteering at McKamey Animal Center During COVID

When the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt like everything came to a standstill—businesses, routines, and in many ways, even our sense of hope. But for the rescue animals at McKamey Animal Center (MAC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, life didn’t stop. They still needed food. They still needed love. And they still needed someone to care when the world wasn’t watching.

That’s where I stepped in.

During the height of the pandemic, I started volunteering at MAC because I couldn’t stand the idea of so many animals being locked in cages without visitors, without affection, and without the basic human connection they desperately needed. These animals—many abandoned or rescued from harsh conditions—were living in silence, day after day, while the rest of the world was stuck at home. But just because everything else had paused didn’t mean their needs had.

I didn’t go in with a master plan. I just showed up. And that’s really the first step to making a difference: show up, even when things are uncertain, even when it feels small.

As Boston Made started gaining momentum, I saw an opportunity to do more. We donated harnesses, clothes, and accessories to the shelter—enough for every dog in the place to have something new, something that said, you matter. It may seem simple, but when an animal has never had anything to call its own, even a small gesture goes a long way.

We set up a full photo op for the animals, dressed in Boston Made gear, looking fresh and full of personality. That moment turned into something bigger than I expected—NBC in Chattanooga picked up the story and featured it on television. What started as a small effort during a dark time turned into a movement of visibility, compassion, and connection.

Here’s what I’ve learned: when hard times hit, they don’t just reveal who we are—they shape who we become. It’s easy to spiral when life gets overwhelming. But the real power comes when you take that energy and pour it into something else—someone else. Even if that “someone” has four legs and a wagging tail.

The truth is, we can’t always control what happens to us. But we can control what we do in response. For me, helping the animals at MAC was more than just volunteering—it was a way to reclaim purpose when everything felt uncertain.

What comes around really does go around. When you give freely, when you show up with no agenda other than to make something—anything—better, the return is always deeper than you expect. I didn’t just help those animals; they helped me too. They reminded me what it means to care, to connect, and to keep moving forward even when the world stands still.

Stay kind, stay active, and when in doubt—do something for someone else.

Until next time,

Nate

Founder, Boston Made