We all know the saying ‘it’s never too late to learn a new skill’, but I believe the opposite is true as well, and perhaps, an even more solid truth. You’re never too young to learn, but to learn we need someone to teach, and that’s precisely what’s going on in this elementary.
With the positive backing of both teachers and parents teaching things such as kindness and actual lessons that will stick with children and not confuse the kids with gender stuff. Things are turning out well, we see these children working together to try to make a difference – no matter how big or small.
Kendall, an 8-month-old terrier mix housed at Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh, has gone through three medical procedures to try and fix a huge number of birth defects. Including a deformed front paw, an opening in his stomach that shouldn’t be there, and a mislocated gallbladder and liver.
“To hear about him, he sounds like some sick, hopeless puppy, but he is just full of energy,” Diane Raible, co-vice president at the animal recovery said. “When the doctor heard his catalog of illnesses, he wasn’t sure he could do much. But, after meeting him, he wanted to give him a chance.”
Three operations are a lot, and who was going to pay his vet bill? Well, fundraisers from Highlands Elementary students have assisted quite a bit. They have helped cover a whopping 20% of the total costs equalling a total of $2,000.
“They helped substantially,” Raible said. “Their efforts were very important in helping to provide him the care he needed.”
A Tarentum foster dog born with his intestines wrapped around several organs is on the road to recovery thanks in part to efforts by Highlands Elementary students.https://t.co/yvFrMXv9eV
— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) June 27, 2022
Highlands educator Victoria Nania came up with the idea and presented it to an afterschool group called Girls on the Run. The program is meant to teach students good decision-making when faced with choices along with teamwork and helping others all while getting some fitness practice in. The group was thrilled at the idea to help out the poor pup and soon began brainstorming ideas for an official name for the fundraiser.
Soon enough, a coin collection dubbed ‘Cans for Kendall’ was born.
“The girls wanted to do a service project, and they thought Kendall was as adorable as can be,” Nania said. “It didn’t matter if someone put 2 cents in. It all helped.”
Before school let out for the summer each class was given a container. The fundraising event would go on for one week, and the students were to pitch their coins into the containers with the help of teachers.
“Not only were coins being dropped into buckets, but the 25 students in the Girls on the Run program also starting asking friends and family members,” retired teacher Jody Shumaker said. “Two girls even had a bake sale in front of their home and, boy, was it ever a success.”
The parents, teachers, and the principal are all proud of these young heroes, and with life lessons like this, the future looks bright for this group of students.
As for the pup, Kendall, he’s continuing his recuperation and as of late has recaptured the animation of a young puppy.
“He is allowed out of his crate now and has been running around and playing with the others,” Raible said. “He’ll be ready for his forever home soon.”
This story syndicated with permission from My Faith News