6-year-old donates gifts to Jacksonville shelter
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JACKSONVILLE — Amelia Cambridge and her mom, Karen Cambridge, recently read “The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl,” a book about some kids who had to participate in a community project, so they started volunteering at the local animal shelter. The book inspired Amelia to use her recent birthday to donate gifts to the Jacksonville Animal Shelter.
“The inspiration to donate gifts to the shelter came from the book, but we also saw on Facebook that somebody else had donated for their birthday,” Karen said. “It wasn’t anybody we knew, but we thought it was neat that another child had done that.
“That inspired [Amelia] just as much as, if not more than, the book.”
Amelia turned 6 on March 14, and Karen said that about two weeks before Amelia’s birthday party, the two talked about how she has so many toys already, and maybe she would like to do something else besides get presents on her birthday. Karen said Amelia had a party at Chuck E. Cheese, and instead of gifts, kids brought bags of dog food, cat food and cat litter.
“Mommy gave me the idea to help the animals because I already have a lot of toys,” Amelia said. “I love animals because they are funny.”
Amelia’s grandmother, whom she calls MiMi, adopted two cats from the Jacksonville Animal Shelter.
“Belle likes to play with straws,” Amelia said of one of the cats.
Amelia and her family have three dogs of their own, but she prefers MiMi’s cats, Amelia said.
“What Amelia did was pretty awesome,” said Hedy Cass, the animal-control supervisor for the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. “It is nice when you know that kids are growing up and already have a love for animals and want to help them in a way they can.
“And to ask for donations instead of birthday gifts — that is really nice and thoughtful of them.”
Cass said donations are very important to the shelter and for the animals. She said a lot of companies donate to the shelter, and there are other kids who ask for donations instead of gifts.
“We run on a city budget, and that will mostly cover building maintenance, vehicle maintenance, janitorial supplies, medicine for our animals and food supplies,” Cass said. “I have learned how to work with the budget and involve the public by asking for their help, and we have a great community that supports our shelter.”
Karen is a school librarian for the Cabot School District, but she and her family live in Jacksonville.
“We were amazed at the number of animals that they take in at the shelter and make sure they get homes — they really try to get all the animals placed,” she said.
Cass said the shelter is constantly in need of bleach, cheap clay cat litter, Pedigree dog food, cat food, newspapers, long shredded paper, old blankets and old towels. She said when the shelter gets an animal that needs health care, the staff takes it to a veterinarian. The nonprofit group Jacksonville Friends of the Animals will cover the bill, but that is only possible if people make monetary donations. To donate to the Jacksonville Friends of the Animals, contribute to its PayPal account at Jaxfriendsofanimals@gmail.com.
“Because of the community is why we have such a great shelter, and for that, I am very thankful,” Cass said. “I am very thankful and want to say thank you to all of you who support the Jacksonville Animal Shelter.”
Karen’s son, Alexander, will turn 9 on April 17, and she said he has already decided that he would like to donate items to the shelter for his birthday as well.
“I think we have had such a difficult year with COVID-19 and everything else. I think this provides a way for them to actively help and make a difference in the community and not feel helpless,” Karen said.