Rowayton Elementary School family joined together for a common goal; to raise money to help homeless rescue animals.
Seven years ago, teachers, Maura Fried and Kathleen Hellrigel wanted to show their classroom students how important it is too reach out and help others. Animals are very dear to the hearts of the children, so it was decided that this would be the focus of their classes community service. With the support of the school's administration, faculty and staff, it has grown into a school-wide experience that is looked forward to every year.
This past spring teachers, Fried and Hellrigel, created a new event the entire student body and faculty of Rowayton School excitedly participated in called, Hula-hooping for Hounds & Twistin' for Kittens. Students collected pledges for participating in either hula-hooping or dancing for 30 minutes straight. Everyone gathered outside on the school's field for 30 minutes and enjoyed fresh air, physical exercise,and more importantly a sense of community and school spirit knowing their efforts were going to help a great cause. The students all worked very hard and the participation for the sake of the animals was tremendous. Rowayton students, Anna and Armen Woods (pictured) were the two children who collected the most pledges for the event and helped bring the school-wide effort to $1,500.00. It was with great pride that they presented the money raised to the Vice President of Animal Nation, Patrick Moore.
Animal Nation is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal rescue organization that rescues everything from cats and dogs to farm animals and wildlife. Our adoptables (cats and dogs) are located in Norwalk. Animal Nation takes in many stray cats and kittens as well as cats and dogs from local CT municipal shelters such a Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and East Haven. To learn more about Animal Nation, visit www.animalnation.org
If any other schools would like to join Rowaytons efforts this year, feel free to contact either Maura Fried or Kathleen Hellrigel at Rowayton Elementary School.
PICTURED - Left to Right:
Patrick Moore (Vice President of Animal Nation), Armen and Anna Woods (holding a kitten who has since been adopted), Kathleen Hellrigel, holding Luke, her senior Boston Terrier who was adopted from Animal Nation.
