“In lieu of giving each other gifts this past holiday season, Monroe Elementary 4th and 6th grade students decided to help a special organization in our New Richmond community,” explained Monroe art teacher Adrian Hawk, who coordinated the project.
“Together these two grade levels collected over 377 items for the animals at Angel’s Rest Animal Sanctuary! These items range from foods and toys to cleaning supplies and pet beds.”
(From Left) Susie Woolery (mother of Monroe 4th grade teacher Jill Blauwkamp, and Monroe Elementary teachers Jenny, Kim Kreimer, and Adrian Hawk and volunteer Brian Ealy load up the 377 items Monroe’s 4th and 6th grade students donated to New Richmond’s Angels Rest Animal Sanctuary.Monroe’s lower grades 1-3 classes have passed on the traditional holiday gift exchanges to help the Clermont County Humane Society in past years.
"We were flabbergasted at the tremendous show of support from the teachers and students of Monroe Elementary,” said Perla Medina-Kinne, the founder of Angel’s Rest in New Richmond.
“We received many goodies and supplies for present and future sanctuary animals that we will put for good use. We especially want to thank art teacher Adrian Hawk for her continued support and for organizing this pet food and toy drive."
Angel’s Rest’s mission is to take animals out of situations where they would be facing imminent danger and provide them with a comfortable place to spend the remainder of their lives.
“We take in abused, neglected, sick, old or otherwise unwanted animals and strive to provide everyone that enters our doors with the care they need and deserve to ensure that they live out the rest of their lives in peace, comfort, well fed and loved,” said Medina-Kinne.
Medina-Kinne her husband Mike are artists who photograph animals and wildlife.
“Perla will be visiting the 4th and 6th grade students at Monroe in the coming months to talk to them about the sanctuary and to personally thank them for their kindness and generosity,” said Hawk.
Monroe teachers Jill Blauwkamp, Kim, Mary Kay Thede, Jan Fender, Betsy Florea, Lauren Lindsley and Jenn Mills help Hawk with the project.
Anyone wishing to make donations to Angels Rest can contact the organization at their web site, http://www.angelsrestanimalsanctuary.org/.
