The students and staff at Elbridge Gale Elementary School are known in Wellington for not only giving back to their community, but for having caring hearts that make a difference. They recently showed both of those attributes through their recent fundraiser to help the dogs at Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
Many of the students and the staff at Elbridge Gale have not only adopted dogs through the rescue, but many students volunteer at the ranch on a weekly basis.
Fourth graders Rebecca Newton and Hannah Baldwin are regular volunteers, performing duties, such as washing and walking dogs, and give the dogs an abundance of love and attention. They were eager to share their personal stories with students on the school’s morning show and encourage their fellow classmates to bring supplies in for the dogs.
Billie Brightman adopted her dog Rya at the ranch and encouraged her classmates to do the same. “The dogs there are so sweet, and they really need our help with tons of needed supplies,” she said.
Staff member Toni Koy has personally adopted three of her five Great Danes from Big Dog. “When we went to adopt our dogs, I was overwhelmed at how many dogs they have at any given time, and they really need our help for donated supplies,” she said.
During a week-long drive, the school collected a multitude of supplies, such as food, blankets and towels, leashes, treats, bowls, paper items and toys.
Principal Gail Pasterczyk was fully behind the project. She is a dog lover herself and implemented a therapy dog program this year at the school where the students read to the therapy dogs. The program has been a tremendous success, and next year Pasterczyk hopes to add a third therapy dog to the program. That dog will be a Big Dog Ranch Rescue dog.
The drive was such a success that the school hopes to continue the community service project in the years to come. If anyone has any items to donate, contact Big Dog Ranch Rescue at www.bdrr.org.
ABOVE: Elbridge Gale students donated items to help Big Dog Ranch.
