Posted on 08/03/2008 7:06:01 AM PDT by MissEdie
Asking for animal shelter donations instead of presents for his 11th birthday was “no biggie” for Mac Gandy, but it makes him a hero to the Florence Area Humane Society.
Mac decided after a visit to the shelter in early July, a couple of weeks before his birthday, that he wanted to help the animals in need of a good home.
“I felt bad for them,” he said after he and his mother, Michelle Gandy, delivered the food, cleaning supplies and other items he’d collected.
“It always tugs at his heart,” his mother said.
The Gandys aren’t sure exactly how much they collected during the birthday party, but said their house was packed with donations from Mac’s friends instead of the baseball equipment Mac normally would have wanted.
“This is Mr. Baseball here,” Michelle Gandy said of her son.
Mac, who’s played baseball for eight years, is a member of a team at Florence’s Maple Park Recreation Center in Florence.
The Gandy family has three dogs, a cat and a cockatiel — all rescued, Michelle Gandy said.
“It’s like a little petting zoo at our house,” she said.
Mac also said he’d like to have a more unorthodox animal friend.
“I want a monkey, actually,” he said.
“No, you don’t,” his mother quickly replied, smiling.
Michelle Gandy hopes that making donations to help the humane society is an act that will positively influence Mac’s friends.
“Hopefully, it will catch on,” she said.
The humane society is working toward building a new shelter with a facility for spaying and neutering, but it continually needs pet food, cleaning supplies, office supplies, blankets, towels, fans, space heaters and other items for its day-to-day operations.
“Every little bit helps,” Katy Hollingsworth, the humane society’s office manager, said. “Every dollar, every penny helps. That all adds up.”
Mac, meanwhile, still hopes to save the money he needs to get the baseball bat he wants.
While his plans for the future clearly include his favorite sport, he said he also might work with animals whenever possible.
“Maybe in the offseason,” he said.
That is very nice of him but it reminds me of these girls who have their picture in the paper because they cut their hair and gave it to Locks of Love. I think many times a part of philanthropy is being low key about it. On the other hand I guess it does raise awareness. Just that so many people do so much in a way that it is the cause that gets highlighted, not them.
I don’t see anywhere were he did this to be in the paper. I think this kid is great.....I hope there are more out there....but today’s kids are very spoiled and I just saw an article on Drudge where kids today can’t identify the simplest of animals! I think all parents should be obligated to get their kids a pet....it teaches them SO MUCH about life.
Thank-you for making my day! =^..^=
A truly good news story. =^..^=
You’re welcome!
Does my heart good...
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