Students raise $18K for HSOY

Following the culmination of efforts of over 1,000 local students, the Humane Society of Yuma recently saw a hefty monetary boom as the children learned about animal welfare.

Director of Development at HSOY Lana Shapiro said the students participated in BEHUMANE, an educational outreach program that aims to make a positive impact on the local homeless pet population.

“Animal welfare is the community’s responsibility, and the Humane Society of Yuma’s success is a true reflection of the community’s support,” Shapiro said in a statement. “No matter the age or background of any one person, advocating for animal welfare and inspiring humane treatment can only better our community.”

While the program was temporarily inactive prior to this school year, Shapiro explained that the organization decided to revitalize it in 2017. HSOY reached out to four local elementary schools to be part of BEHUMANE.

According to the HSOY news release, the organization’s staff and volunteers visited classrooms to teach students about heir local animal shelter and animal services, responsible pet ownership and safety.

In total, the program reached over 1,800 students at Alice Byrne Elementary, Gowan Science Academy, H.L. Suverkrup Elementary and Pueblo Elementary.

According to Shapiro, the children raised funds in person as well as through an online giving platform. Students from each school spent about a month each collecting donations.

“We really hope to expand the program in this upcoming school year and make a really large impact in the future,” Shapiro said.

Along with raising funds for HSOY, Shapiro noted that a big part of the program was for the students to learn about animal welfare.

“The BEHUMANE program means a lot to the organization and we know that if we instill humane principles in our students now, we can prevent animal abuse, improve the condition of Yuma’s pet population and hopefully treat each other with compassion as well,” Annette Lagunas, Executive Director of HSOY said in a statement.

The program was supported by 3:10 Auto Works, 3:10 Diesel Works and Bose.

LOANED PHOTO RECENTLY, AROUND 1,800 LOCAL children raised $18,000 for the Humane Society of Yuma as part of the organization’s BEHUMANE program which teaches children about animal welfare.