Isiah Berryhill helps load pet food as Hope Geminder’s first-grade class collects donations along with the rest of Palominas Elementary School to be delivered to the Bisbee Animal Shelter. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Posted on 12/18/2008 5:06:56 PM PST by SandRat
PALOMINAS — Tis the season for giving, and students of Palominas Elementary School have taken that giving spirit to heart.
The children have been gathering donations of pet food and supplies for dogs and cats housed in the Bisbee Animal Shelter.
Organized by first-grade teacher Hope Geminder, students in her class have been the project’s primary contributors. The first-graders have collected dog and cat food, treats and toys, along with a few horse-related items. “This is the second time I’ve organized a pet food drive,” Geminder said on Wednesday as students loaded the donated items into her car. “Most of my students have pets, so they like the idea of helping out the shelter animals.”
Seven year-old Kyra Binkerd said she has three dogs, of which two are pugs, her favorite breed.
“I brought in a lot of stuff for dogs,” she said. “I think it’s important to do this because it’s wintertime and they need lots and lots of food when it’s cold.”
Six-year-old Robert Gonzalez has two dogs and two cats.
“When Mrs. Geminder told us about bringing in food for the animals, I thought it was a good idea. Dogs and cats need a lot of food so they won’t get unhealthy.”
Isiah Berryhill, 7, likes all animals. His two dogs, Sammy and Kino, are his favorites. He wanted to help with the drive because he feels sorry for animals living in the shelter.
“The dogs and cats in the shelter don’t live in a house yet,” he said. “I think it’s sad they don’t have a house. They need someone to buy them and give them a dog house so they can live with a family.”
Cheryl Hale, who is the grandmother of one of the students in the class, gave the food collection project a major boost by going to different businesses and requesting donations. She even called Hills Pet Nutrition and was promised several bags of dog and cat food from the company. Hills will be delivering the food to the animal shelter sometime before Christmas.
“I was amazed by how positive everyone was,” she said. “It just goes to show, you never know how people are going to respond until you try.”
Hale also got contributions from Bisbee Veterinarian Charles Behney Jr., Wal-Mart, Scratch Pad Inn, Kmart, Fry’s Food Stores, Food City and Sierra Vista Hay and Feed. Along with the businesses, Hale was given a private monetary donation from Judy McLennan, a family member who lives in Nevada.
Geminder said the number of donations they received through Hale’s efforts helped make the school’s drive a huge success.
Principal Joe Holder supports the project and is proud of the donations the students were able to collect.
“People tend to forget that animals need help, too,” he said.
Jaden Lucas, 6, hopes all the animals in the shelter find homes for Christmas. “I think it’s sad when animals have to live in a shelter. I hope all the dogs and cats get homes soon.”
Thomas Long agrees with his classmate.
“I really like dogs and hope they all get homes before Christmas,” 7-year-old said. “That way they’ll have a nice Christmas.”
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
What a sweet story!
Children are absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to get my teaching certificate :)
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