does not focus all of her time on ringing in lunches. She and her husband, Tex Ridder, are committed and supportive of the Ontario Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They spend a lot of time walking impounded animals and helping to care for them.

Over the years, Ridder has set up a penny drive for the animal shelter in the cafeteria. At the end of 2007, Ridder and the students had collected $1,757.70 to go towards the Quinte Humane Society, collecting $7,487.28 over four years.

Ridder had trouble getting the penny drive started in the cafeteria. Originally, the cafeteria owners allowed a take-a-penny-leave-a-penny dish, but then Chartwells decided to get rid of that idea, ensuring that any spare change was left in the till. Ridder was able to convince them to allow a jar to be placed beside the cashier to raise money for the Humane Society.

"Our company was gracious enough to say 'yes, you can do that,'" said Ridder.

Ridder is actively involved with the QHS, walking dogs and fostering abandoned or abused animals. She is the owner of five pets, as well. She has two dogs, Tika and Brady, she also owns a cat named Cloe, a bird named Birkie and a fish.

"They have all either been rescued or have come from the shelter," said Ridder "We fostered them, and then have decided to adopt them. Even our bird came from a rescue; he was abandoned."

Ridder is constantly fostering animals for the shelter, and finds the one and only downfall is becoming overly attached to them.

"A lot of times you will foster an animal and fall in love with it, but then you have to find a home for it," said Ridder.

Her husband, who is also actively involved in the OSPCA, carries a pager at all times. Sometimes it disrupts their dinner or evenings, when Tex is required to leave immediately to help rescue or care for a lost, abused, neglected, or abandoned animal. Ridder enjoys tagging along on the adventures, and helping out as much as possible.

Ridder said that one of the hardships she and her husband face everyday is the knowledge that not all of the animals can be saved.

As well as helping animals, she helps pet owners. She knows that college students away from home for the first time are missing their pets and tries to provide an opportunity for students to post pictures of their animals in the cafeteria on a mini-fridge, available for all to see.

"A lot of our students are away from home for the very first time. They are very young, they are homesick, they miss their parents and they miss their animals. It's an ice-breaker. Students will see the pictures and then students like to tell me about their pets," said Ridder.

Ridder said she will continue fostering and helping animals, as it is something she really enjoys. She and her husband are determined to help in as many ways possible.

"It has definitely made our lives richer."