| Kids learn to care for animals Glen Ellyn, IL — On a recent Wednesday, 11-year-old Riley Osborne walked around the West Suburban Humane Society with a clipboard and pen in hand, checking supply cabinets to make sure everything was fully stocked. Five or six club members visit the shelter each week, allowing each child to aid about once every two months. "We're hoping to set up a second day for the kids to come," said Heather Beaman, who organizes the club. Recently, the club donated $1,575 and supplies to the shelter after hosting a "Have a Heart" fundraiser at school. The club was started in 2009 by a Hadley teacher, Tina Booth, who's currently on maternity leave. In her absence, Beaman — a special education teacher — and Hillary Shumate, an eighth-grade literacy teacher, bring students to the shelter for an hour each Wednesday to learn responsibility and play with the animals. The shelter is a volunteer-based, animal welfare organization that was founded in 1972 as a lost-and-found referral service. The society provides housing for up to 25 dogs and 60 cats at a time, and it operates at full capacity all the time. It's open six days a week and offers animal adoptions. Joe Chaloka, a volunteer at the shelter, worked with the club members last week and led the kids through the building to find supplies, a few of which had already been discovered by sleeping cats. Aqua Fresh, a 10-year-old, black-and-white cat, made getting the dog's fleece beds from the top of a cabinet difficult — she'd already claimed them as her own and refused to budge. "We'll try not to disturb you, your royal highness," Chaloka joked as he pulled the blankets from the top of the cabinet. The club has grown to include 40 animal-loving Hadley students. Each Wednesday, the school sends a group of students to the shelter as part of the Animal Helpers Club. " Beaman, who's also an animal lover with three cats and a dog at home, said the kids really cheer on the animals to be adopted. Whenever they return to the shelter, she said they ask whether a certain dog or cat has found a home. In addition to learning about community service, Chaloka said the students are learning to work together and collaborate. Although several of the volunteers have animals at home, they still feel the need to assist animals that need families. "I'm learning to take care of these cats and dogs," Riley said. |
Friday, 9 March 2012
Kids learn to care for animals
