November 10, 2025
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is powered by kind, dedicated volunteers who help move our mission forward. This month, we are excited to shine the spotlight on Velma Wagner, who has been giving her time and heart to CAA for several years. Her work has supported a variety of programs. She likes “helping to make the world a better place,” Velma shared.
Getting Involved With CAA
Velma has been volunteering with CAA for several years. While she doesn’t remember exactly how she first discovered us, she was drawn to our mission and the chance to help others.
She has taken on a variety of roles, including helping set up the CAA booth at Twin Cities Pride, serving on the planning committee for Dr. Michael Greger’s presentation, and preparing and serving plant-based meals for residents at Simpson Housing. Her efforts help us reach more people and share compassion in our community.
Why Volunteering Matters
For Velma, the joy of giving back is what keeps her returning. “I like making a difference,” she explained. “That’s what I love most about volunteering.”
Her service extends well beyond CAA. She also volunteers with the American Red Cross and ushers at many local theaters, combining her passion for helping others with her love for the arts.
A Life Filled With Creativity, Activity, and Care
Outside of volunteering, Velma enjoys a vibrant and active life. She loves attending live theater, musicals, comedy shows, concerts, and dance performances. She also enjoys hiking, biking, singing, and reading.
After retiring early from her career as a psychologist, Velma found another joyful way to spend her time: dog sitting. “I adore it,” she said.
Living a Plant-Based Life
Velma has been eating plant-based since the 1980s, when she first followed a macrobiotic lifestyle. Today, she continues to thrive on a vegan diet. “I feel energetic, sleep well, and have no health issues, which I attribute to being vegan,” she shared.
Her passion for vegan living also reaches into her spiritual community. Velma founded a plant-based group at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis as part of the Environmental Justice Team, where she enjoys helping others discover joyful plant-based eating.
Thank You, Velma
We are deeply grateful for Velma Wagner’s compassion, dedication, and joyful spirit. Her volunteer work helps create a more compassionate Minnesota for people and animals. Thank you, Velma, for everything you do. We’re lucky to have you as part of the CAA family.
Inspired by Velma? Get Involved With CAA!
If Velma’s story inspires you, consider supporting our work by volunteering, donating, or exploring creative options like matching grants through your employer. Together, we’re creating a more compassionate world for animals, people, and our planet.
Past Volunteer Spotlights
Want to meet more of our amazing volunteers? Explore these past volunteer profiles:
- Volunteer Spotlight on Oriana Rueda-Krauss
- Volunteer Spotlight on Itzel Herrera
- Volunteer Spotlight on Laura Hofer
- Volunteer Spotlight on Sheryl Lyke
- Volunteer Spotlight on Rianna Engel
- Volunteer Spotlight on Magnus Larsson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Ronan Magnus
- Volunteer Spotlight on Kedar Deshpande
- Volunteer Spotlight on Anna Larsson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Alysia Nelson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Tom Hoch
- Volunteer Spotlight on Lexy Race
- Volunteer Spotlight on Faustine Micheyls
- Volunteer Spotlight on Grace Prins
- Volunteer Spotlight on Kim Milligan
- Volunteer Spotlight on Allison Gamble
Making an Impact Together
Volunteers drive everything we accomplish. Last year, more than 280 volunteers donated over 6,263 hours of their time — more than $125,000 in value to CAA! They’ve also gained valuable advocacy skills, leadership experience, and lasting friendships in our community.
Read more about our collective impact in the annual report and browse available volunteer roles here.
CAA’s Theory of Change
Our mission is to encourage people to embrace their empathy for farmed animals and move toward a plant-based diet. This drives our vision of a world where all animals, human and nonhuman, can thrive.
We grow our movement by welcoming people of all backgrounds. Through our programs, events, and activities, we create a powerful cycle of increasing awareness, building community, empowering advocates, and generating lasting change for farmed animals. This approach targets both individual and institutional change.
What kind of change do we create? Our programs reduce consumption of animal products, improve the lives of farmed animals, and benefit the well-being of all Minnesotans.
We developed this theory of change in 2017 through comprehensive community input, including an online stakeholder survey, two public town halls, and strategic planning sessions with staff, core volunteers, and board members.
Your Skills, Our Mission
Ready to turn your compassion into action? Join our community of change-makers! Explore our volunteer opportunities to find the perfect match for your interests and skills. From hands-on roles in food service, photography, and event coordination to strategic planning for Twin Cities Veg Fest and helping to manage our website, there’s a meaningful way for everyone to contribute.
