Meet the people in the State Treasurer’s Office whose public service inspires us and is making a difference.

Kasey O’Connor, the indefatigable Legislative Director for State Treasurer Fiona Ma, proudly displays her blue ribbon after winning the annual STO chili cook-off on October 17. Her very spicy dish bested a field of nine other STO employee-contestants and won her the right to assign the donations raised by the cook-off to a charity of her choice. Kasey picked Itsie Bitsie Rescue, Inc. The Citrus Heights animal rescue was started by Pam Dumas and daughter Danielle in 2012. The first official intake was a little orange tabby named Poodywoo who was adopted by a member of the National Guard. Today, the number of Itsie Bitsie’s kitten rescues exceeds 400 each year. Adoptions are held every Saturday and Sunday from 12-to-5 pm at PetSmart off Fairway Drive in Roseville. Congratulations Kasey! And thanks for sharing your purrfect recipe for helping a deserving community organization.