What great kids!
Thanks to the Iowa City Press-Citizen for this uplifting news!
Kids learn to throw a bone to dogs
TIFFIN They may be young, but T.J. Hansen and Jocelyn Bult know how to raise funds for a good cause.
Last month, along with their classmates at Graceland Preschool and Before-and-After School Program, T.J. and Jocelyn helped dogs and other animals. They sold animal treats, such as cheesy bone cookies, peppermint patties” and catnip toys, to raise money for local animal shelters. They need food,” said Jocelyn, 4, of the dogs.
Jocelyn and T.J., 3, were the biggest sellers in Gracelands third annual Animal Shelter Fundraiser, with each selling about six dozen dog biscuits. The two helped raise $908, all of which will benefit the Iowa City/Coralville Animal Care and Adoption Center as well as Mix-n-Match Rescue in Iowa City, said Sarah Harney, a teacher at the school.
Harney said the fundraiser began three years ago as a way to teach the children about giving at Christmas and to help the animal shelter. It has raised more than $2,100 in that time.
Im a huge animal lover,” said Harney, 24, a University of Iowa senior from Oxford. Its always been a cause near and dear to my heart. Theyre always excited about getting presents, so we wanted to teach about giving.”
The 35 children in the preschool and Before-and-After School Program began selling the treats the week before Thanksgiving. Taking orders for items that cost anywhere from $1.75 for a chocolate-mint flavored coffee spoon to $8 for a bottle of pet shampoo from the Soap Opera in Iowa City. We wanted to help animals have homes,” Harney said.
Then, Dec. 16, parents, children and teachers gathered at Grace United Methodist Church and made and baked all of the orders, using ingredients donated by parents. Among the items they made were birdseed cookies and potpourri sachets. I helped my mom put them in a bag,” T.J. said about the dog biscuits.
Misha Goodman, director of the Iowa City/Coralville Animal Care and Adoption Center, said children in the area regularly do fundraisers to help benefit the shelter. Many come in for tours and give treats to the animals. I love that the kids do these things,” she said. I think its a good, positive thing for the community that theyre doing.”
In the end, the children just wanted to find ways to take care of animals by helping to give them toys, food, water and shelter. I like keeping them healthy,” T.J. said.
