GREENFIELD — The Hancock County Humane Society can stock its pet food pantry and fund medical expenses for dogs and cats they care for thanks to a group of service-minded high school students.
The Greenfield-Central High School Interact Club, a student group extension of the Rotary Club of Greenfield, raised nearly $6,000 for the humane society earlier this month. The club was host of a bowling fundraiser on March 1 at Strike Force Lanes, said club sponsor ConnieJo Harris.
The student group received donations from community members — totaling to $5,961 — and secured about 60 lane sponsors for the event, according to a video the school posted on YouTube.
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Melinda Wright, president of the humane society, said the nonprofit organization plans to use the money for medical expenses and food for its pantry. Last year, Wright said, the group’s veterinarian fees were more than $20,000. In addition to routine exams, vaccinations and spay/neuter operations, Wright said the organization takes in animals that have medical issues that require surgery and long-term care. The group is funded entirely through donations and is operated by volunteers.
“The students did an awesome job of organizing and operating the event,” Wright wrote in an email to the Daily Reporter. “The almost $6,000 is a significant amount for a single fundraiser and will be put to good use.”
The no-kill shelter cares for about 35 animals at any one time and adopted out almost 250 cats last year, Wright said. It also works closely with Greenfield/Hancock Animal Management, bringing in 110 animals from the city/county agency in 2018, she said. The nonprofit also provides a free pet food pantry for Hancock County residents. The humane society gave out more than 5,000 pounds of food last year.
The Interact Club, which is mainly made up of G-C athletes, puts on several fundraisers and frequently volunteers in the community. Harris said the club is preparing for its sixth annual “Take Pride in G-C Day” on May 18. Students from several clubs, sports teams and music groups volunteer their time each year to beautify the school campus before the high school’s commencement ceremony.
