About Us
Our lives are transformed by pets, and now we’re committed to transforming theirs
Beacon of Light is a nonprofit organization devoted to rescuing, fostering, and finding homes for abandoned, sick, and injured animals in Connecticut and southern states.
With your support, we aim to positively impact the lives of these incredible animals.
Our lives are transformed by pets, and now we’re committed to transforming theirs
Beacon of Light is a nonprofit organization devoted to rescuing, fostering, and finding homes for abandoned, sick, and injured animals in Connecticut and southern states.
With your support, we aim to positively impact the lives of these incredible animals.
Mission statement
Beacon Of Light is dedicated to relieving the unnecessary suffering of domestic cats and dogs. This includes a few activities
Preventing cruelty to and neglect of domestic animals.
Fostering to and re-homing abandoned, stray, surrendered and shelter-based, domestic cats and dogs.
Educating the public about the necessity of controlling the pet population and providing general health care to animals.
Assisting Connecticut’s Animal Control Officers with the trapping and medical care of domestic animals in need of placement.
Assigning owners trapping their escaped domestic pets.
Mission statement
Beacon of Light is a Beacon Of Light is dedicated to relieving the unnecessary suffering of domestic cats and dogs. This includes a few activities
Preventing cruelty to and neglect of domestic animals.
Fostering to and re-homing abandoned, stray, surrendered and shelter-based, domestic cats and dogs.
Educating the public about the necessity of controlling the pet population and providing general health care to animals.
Assisting Connecticut’s Animal Control Officers with the trapping and medical care of domestic animals in need of placement.
Assigning owners trapping their escaped domestic pets.
Board of Directors
Megan Keefe
President and Co-Founder
Lisa Marecki
Vice President and Co-Founder
Danamarie Towers
Treasurer
Crystal Benware
Director of graphic design, and
on the fundraising committee
Darlene Smith
Secretary
Crystal Benware
Director of graphic design, and
on the fundraising ommittee
Darlene Smith
Secretary
Megan Keefe
President and Co-Founder
Megan has devoted her life to helping the voiceless animals in need, and would give every penny she has to do so. She has helped stray and abandoned dogs in Texas and other southern states for years.
Megan lives in Barkhamsted, CT, with her wife, Co-Founder and Vice President, Lisa Marecki. They currently have 5 dogs, 7 cats, and several foster cats.
She is an independent insurance agent and a successful benefit’s consultant with Aflac.
In her spare time, Megan enjoys being with her family, friends, and her three- and four-legged babies at home. She also likes gardening, cooking, and playing in her church’s handbell choir. She loves watching UConn men’s basketball and the NY Yankees.
Lisa Marecki
Vice President and Co-Founder
Lisa Marecki resides in Barkhamsted, CT with her wife, Megan Keefe (President and Founder of Beacon of Light Animal Rescue) and their 5 dogs and 7 cats (the majority who are rescues). Lisa is the Senior Vice President of Life, Disability and Voluntary Products at Symetra Financial located in Enfield, CT. She has over 30+ years of experience in the insurance industry with various leadership positions at Symetra, AIG and The Hartford.
When Lisa is not working, she works alongside her wife Megan helping countless voiceless animals in the south and is an avid contributor to many rescues across the country. In her spare time Lisa enjoys spending time with her family (of 3 and 4 legged, yes we have a tripod dog and cat), relaxing at the pool, gardening, new yard projects to tackle and always enjoys a good bonfire!
Danamarie Towers
Treasurer
As far back as I can remember I’ve always had the passion for animals, especially dogs. It amazes me how they have the ability to love unconditionally even after they’ve experienced trauma by humans. I’ve gone to the local shelter and walked these poor souls that have been abused, dumped or just have ended up there by no fault of their own.
“I’ll do this work, to be the voice for those that don’t have a voice”, saving them, turning them into family members and finding their forever homes.
Just think of that song “Take a Chance on Me”.
Crystal Benware
Director of graphic design, and on the fundraising committee
Crystal Benware – she is a Director and head of graphic design, and on the fundraising committee.
My name is Crystal Benware. I own an automotive repair shop in Ellington, CT with my husband. We have one daughter and two rescue pups (who get to come to work with me every day)! In my free time, I enjoy riding my motorcycle, boating, and reading. I am passionate about helping as many animals as possible find their loving forever homes!
Darlene Smith
Secretary
Darlene Smith currently lives in Meriden, CT, with her husband Ed, her 2 labs Finnegan and Seamus, and her cat, Lola. She was in the fulfillment business for 20 years running the data entry and mailroom departments. After leaving, she became a stay-at-home dog and kitty mom. She spends most of her days keeping her four-legged babies going on walks, playing in the yard doing agility training and basically just keeping them happy and out of trouble. When she has free time, Darlene loves to bake cookies and she just found a new passion for anything sourdough. She also loves to crochet when she has free time. In 2023, Darlene became a foster mom and was able to help several dogs find their forever homes. One in particular found his forever home at her house. This past year helping rescues with fostering and raising money has been such a rewarding experience for Darlene as she would do whatever it takes to help an animal in need.