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Preschoolers make largest contribution to Plano Animal Shelter
By Kim Nguyen, knguyen@acnpapers.com
The students of Primrose School of Chase Oaks had a special delivery to the Plano Animal Shelter Tuesday morning.
Throughout November, Primrose students learned about the importance and value of generosity and volunteerism through the school’s Caring and Giving Program.
“The curriculum teaches the students their role as members of the community,” said Rochelle Strandstra, owner of the Primrose School of Chase Oaks. “Last year we collected $650, and we set a goal to raise even more money this year.”
“We expanded in asking for donations from local businesses that we do regular business with,” Strandstra said. “We’ve received so many checks from as far away as Chicago. We even had a contribution from Plano, Ill., to support the Plano, Texas, Animal Shelter.”
Debbie New, senior administrative assistant at the shelter, had heard that the donation would be significantly larger than last year’s but never imagined it would be nearly double the amount.
Tears welled up in her eyes when she saw the oversized check and how many storage carts were needed to unload the trunkload of pet supplies.
“That’s unbelievable,” she said. “This is by far the biggest donation that has been made to the shelter. These children are the hope of the future, and to have begun instilling the spirit of giving this early is very encouraging.”
With a “very full” shelter this season, New said the donated goods will provide for about 100 cats and nearly 100 dogs currently housed at the shelter.
“We are so thankful because these children helped make a very nice Thanksgiving for the animals here,” she said. “The next best thing would be to adopt them or find them a nice home for the holidays.”
The Caring and Giving program is integrated into the curriculum at Primrose Schools across the country. Each year, the teachers guide the students in choosing a community group or organization that is in need.
In prior years, the students raised money to benefit God’s Food Pantry for the Caring and Giving program, but changed beneficiaries to the Plano Animal Shelter in honor of the school’s unofficial mascot, Percy the Dog, who was abandoned at the school three years ago and now lives with Strandstra.
“We wanted to teach the students early that they’re privileged,” Strandstra said. “We’re teaching them that there are less fortunate people out there, and it’s the right thing to contribute back to the community.”
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