Barbara Autio of Bridgton has a special place in her heart for the little critters at Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.

“I’ve always loved animals, and I love this shelter. I love the animals here, and I love the people here. I’m just obsessed with it,” she said in a video as one of the recent recipients of the News Center Maine’s “6 Who Care” awards.

The 84-year-old has been volunteering at Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg for more than 25 years. Barbara walks the dogs, cleans the kennels, works on projects at the shelter and is willing to help wherever needed.  

“I want to make it look nice. I want to make it look comfortable and cozy, said Barbara in the video.

In her “6 Who Care” profile, it noted, “For over 25 years, Barbara has been creating a warm and loving environment for the homeless animals and community members who visit the shelter. As a volunteer, she has been putting to good use her building, gardening and artistry talents all around the shelter. Not only does she walk the dogs, clean the kennels, feed and train, plus socialize the animals, but Barbara has also put her touch of creativity everywhere you look. She has built custom wood doors and gazebos in the outdoor yards. She has created and tends to gorgeous gardens to add a pop of color and happiness to everyone’s day who visits the shelter. Barbara also creates artwork throughout the shelter for animals and humans alike to enjoy.”

Shelter Director Joan McBurnie said Barbara “does everything.”

“She paints. She’s our carpenter. She makes everything aesthetically beautiful…We don’t look like an institution when you walk into Harvest Hills, we look like a home. And we look like a home because Barbara made it look like that,” McBurnie said. “She can outwork 30-year-olds all day long. I’ve seen her. She’s just amazing…Her age is just a number.”

Her profile sums up when Barbara Autio (she too owned a shelter dog, eight to be exact) is one who cares, “Barbara’s grace, kindness and generosity makes all the animals, volunteers and visitors at the animal shelter feel at ease.”

“6 Who Care” is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to honor volunteers and agencies making a difference in one’s community. These volunteers could be neighbors or friends of yours. They build, they teach, and they inspire. They are people that go about their day never expecting a thank you for the things they do.

News Center Maine partners with United Way of Greater Portland and sponsors — TD Bank and Dead River Company — to honor volunteers who see a need in their communities and fill it with care and dedication. This is the 20th anniversary of “6 Who Care.” 146 winners have been able to allocate their grant winnings of $186,000 to local nonprofits throughout Maine. 

“Our Board of Governors had the difficult task of choosing the winners from a group of volunteers that are all helping to make Maine communities better places,” according to News Center Maine.

All winners were recognized at the “6 Who Care” award show on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Portland Museum of Art. Each winner was allotted grant money to donate to their nonprofit of choice.