Springfield students raise $900 for local animal shelter

Despite a dip in its fundraising efforts from previous years, the Student Team for Animal Rescue at Springfield High School managed to bring in almost $1,000 for three local humane societies.
http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/springfield-students-raise-900-for-local-animal-shelters/1160136

Springfield students raise $900 for local animal shelters By Chris Garofolo | Apr 01, 2014 Eagle-Times Courtesy of: Kim Farrar Students from the Springfield High School National Honor Society and the Student Team for Animal Rescue gathered in this undated photo after raising money for a trio of local animal shelters. SPRINGFIELD — Despite a dip in its fundraising efforts from previous years, the Student Team for Animal Rescue at Springfield High School managed to bring in almost $1,000 for three local humane societies. The student-led animal rescue organization, known as STAR, announced their joint fundraiser with the high school’s National Honor Society allowed the pupils to make a donation of roughly $900 to the Springfield Human Society, The Animal Rescue & Protection League in Chester and the River Valley Animal Protection League in Charlestown, N.H. Last November, STAR representatives and honor society students began collecting raffle tickets for their fundraiser. A total of 22 prizes from local businesses were awarded in late February from the raffle tickets sold at SHS Cosmos basketball games and other outdoor events. STAR, which was formed in December 2007 and regularly has about 10 student members, typically collects more than $1,000 annually for the local shelters through four fundraisers. “The most important thing about STAR is that we want people to understand that animals have feelings, just like humans do. They feel fear, sadness, anger, hunger, happiness and love,” said Springfield senior Aaron Gonthier, a 4-year member of STAR. “They want a place to call home just like us.” Kimberly Farrar, a special educator and coordinator with the high school’s Occupational Development Program, serves as one of STAR’s faculty advisors. “Our mission is all about spaying and neutering and rescuing animals,” she said. “This was a hard year, but we’re happy with our efforts.” Farrar and SHS paraeducator Janice Izzo serve as STAR’s faculty advisors. The club serves as a fundraising tool and education vehicle to teach young adults about caring for animals while receiving community service credit in high school. “We’re really hoping to promote saving the animals that already exist in the world,” she said. “At the high school here they have to have 40 hours of community service before they can graduate and, a lot of kids, this is the way they get that 40 hours.” Farrar and the students visit each nearby humane society a few times each year to volunteer, seeing how many animals right here in their communities that need good homes. Students involved with the club say it is important to spay or neuter pets to improve the quality of their lives. STAR is promoting April as Animal Abuse Awareness Month, asking pet owners to report any strays seen in town to local shelters. “Donate to your animal shelters and volunteer there if you can. The best thing you can do is adopt a new friend,” Gonthier said. “I love being in the club. I really want to help animals that are abused and neglected.”