This Spring, while most students were busy dreaming of their upcoming summer break, K-6 graders at Birch Lane Elementary School in Massapequa Park, Long Island were busy collecting pet supplies — including over 1,300 pounds of pet food — for their school’s first-annual Pet Food Drive for Long Island Cares Pet Pantry.
The pet food drive, which was organized by 5thgrade teacher John Coyne was sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union and created in response to the growing demand for food banks to supply pet food to local families in need, and to ensure that pets and their families can remain together in difficult times.
"I was looking for a way to help animal rescue groups and this was the perfect opportunity. This fundraiser was truly a team effort that garnered successful results in a short amount of time" said Coyne.
Birch Lane students were rewarded for their outstanding efforts. For each item donated, students received a “Pet Card” featuring fun pet facts. Once four cards were collected, that student received a piggy bank from Bethpage Federal Credit Union, and was automatically entered into a raffle to win one of three prizes.
The pet food drive ran May 29 through June 15, and closed with an awards ceremony on June 19.
The Pet Pantry at Long Island Cares was created in 2009, in partnership with the Animal Relief Fund, to help stem pet hunger and abandonment.
(John Coyne is a member of Massapequa Federation of Teachers and Secretaries and an instructor with the NYSUT Education & Learning Trust)