PENN TWP — The wild winds and rain that howled through the county on Saturday afternoon tried, but failed, to stymie the festivities at the Soroptimist International of Butler County’s Spring Fling Luncheon and Basket Raffle at Butler Country Club.

The lights flickered multiple times, but a sumptuous lunch was served, drinks were poured, tickets were dropped for 51 raffle baskets, vendors peddled their products, and two local women were awarded for their dedication to service in Butler County.

The club, formed in 1953, also marked its 70th anniversary.

Judy Barkley, of Penn Township, received the coveted Soroptimist Community Ruby Award for her lifetime of dedication as a fundraiser, board member and volunteer at the Butler County Humane Society.

Barkley, who could be seen dabbing her eyes as many well-loved friends congratulated her, said she was humbled by the award and proud of the humane society.

“We have always cared for the abused and abandoned animals of Butler County,” Barkley said. “Many times, when they arrive at the shelter, it’s the first time they’ve felt loved and cared for.”

Barkley volunteered in years past at the old humane society building on Herman Road in Summit Township, which was built on the city dump.

She recalled being horrified to hear stories that rats had bitten the dogs and cats housed at the facility, which euthanized animals after a certain amount of time at the shelter.

“That’s when I determined we’re going to build a new, no-kill shelter,” Barkley said.

She began fundraising with bake sales that would earn about $30 before holding the first fashion show fundraiser in 1987.

The new humane society on Evans City Road in Connoquenessing Township was finally completed in 1997, thanks to the determination of Barkley and those who toiled alongside her to see the project to fruition.

“We went no-kill in 2000,” Barkley said. “It was an overnight decision. We led with our hearts and not our heads, but it is a no-kill shelter to this day.”

Her husband of 55 years, Jack Barkley, said fundraising did not come naturally to his wife, but she did it after witnessing the less-than-tolerable conditions of the old humane society building.

“It seems like from that time forward, it was a passion of hers to make the humane society a better place,” he said. “She became very good at it.”

Jack was in the U.S. Navy when the newly married Barkelys got their first dog in 1969, and they loved and cared for many pets since then.

They now have one West Highland White Terrier that was rescued from a puppy mill, where the small dog was force to birth hundreds of pups in deplorable conditions.

“She was very poorly treated,” Jack said.

Judy Barkley recalled visiting a neighbor’s mutt as a child, which was housed in a garage.

Barkely visited the dog after school, until her mother called the neighbor and told them if they by chance did not want the dog, her daughter loved him.

“They surprised me with Bert on my birthday,” Barkley said. “I was probably 6.”

Becky Plymale, the Soroptimist club member who bestowed the award on Barkley, was elated that her friend of 30 years was chosen for the Ruby award.

“Judy is a person who does a lot of things very quietly, and sometimes that is the perfect person to recognize,” Plymale said.

State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, once served as the executive director and board president at the Butler County Humane Society.

She worked closely with Barkley there, and said Barkely also has volunteered and served on the board of directors at many other charitable organization in the county.

“She is constantly, continually participating in multiple organizations throughout Butler County and never stops or gives up,” Mustello said. “We should all aspire to be like Judy Barkley.”

Joyce Cully, of Penn Township, said her mother-in-law worked with Barkley to fund the construction of the new humane society building.

“It’s always been the animals first,” Cully said of Barkley. “She is just one of the most selfless people I know. She puts everyone before herself, especially if it’s a four-legged creature.”

Claudia Timko of Adams Township has been a friend of Barkley’s since the 1980s, when she worked with Barkley to fund and build the new shelter.

“She has sacrificed most of her life to help others,” Timko said. “Animals or people, she’s been there for them all.”

The Soroptimist Ruby Club Award went to Cindy Magdinec, a five-year member, who made blankets for cancer patients and headed up the club’s Place to Lay My Head program.

That effort currently provides support for the emergency shelter operated by Catholic Charities in Butler County. The Soroptimists provide bedding, stock kitchen with dishes and other needed items, and provide towels and cleaning products.

The Spring Fling also saw the Soroptimist group bestow $1,000 Live Your Dream Award scholarship on Shannon Pearsall, whose abusive childhood caused her to suffer anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

She joined the Air Foce at 18. When she found herself pregnant, she determined she would do everything to provide her child with a happy childhood and earned an associate’s degree in cyber security.

She is pursuing a bachlore’s degree at Robert Morris University and hopes to graduate in December 2024 with a degree in cyber security.

Pearsall also received the Soroptimist’s regional Live Your Dream Award of $1,000.

The other 2023 Live Your Dream Award $1,000 scholarships went to Rebecca Kelly, who reopene her grandparents’ former restaurant in South Fayette on May 1.

The single mother of a special needs 3-year-old will use her scholarship for training at the restaurant.

Soroptimist International encourages women’s empowerment through education.