A second grade classroom at Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School, located at 1571 Oswego Road in the West Wind subdivison, organized a fundraiser to benefit Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS) as a Leadership/Giving Without Walls project. During classroom time, the 15 students studied NAHS’ website to learn about NAHS’ mission, adoptions and community programs.
According to Dawn De Bois-Weber, principal at Chesterbrook Academy, part of the curriculum gives students an opportunity to participate in community service projects as a way to build leadership skills. The second grade students selected the Naperville Area Humane Society as their charity because it is a no kill shelter.
“The students wrote letters and illustrated pictures about the animals that were available for adoption,” noted De Bois-Weber in a news release. “They decided to raise money by having a walk-a-thon and collect donations through pledges. They did such an effective job of explaining why the shelter should be supported that their project became a school-wide event. Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School students and parents enjoyed walking together and serving the community.”
On May 10, 2013, the student body, joined by two NAHS Paws for Tales reading program volunteer-dog teams, gathered at 9AM to kick off the walk. Everyone enjoyed a celebration afterward.
The following week, the second grade classroom visited the shelter for a private, behind the scenes tour. They presented NAHS humane education manager Terri Hancock with their donation of $2,600.
“These students are truly inspiring and demonstrate how everyone, regardless of age, can make a profound difference in the world,” said Hancock.
Did you know? Naperville Area Humane Society is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 to promote the humane treatment of companion animals and create lasting human-animal bonds. For more information, visit www.NapervilleAreaHumaneSociety.org.
