Newtown Middle School students recently raised $175 for The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary through the student-led “Paws for a Cause” Fundraiser from April 7-9.

For every dollar students donated, they received a raffle ticket for a chance to win a gift basket filled with goodies such as candy, animal plushies, and more. NMS student Caylee Brackett was the winner of the gift basket.

While the fundraiser was held in the cafeteria and at the Scholastic Book Fair in the lobby, only students in the cafeteria had the opportunity to use the “Paws for a Cause” Photo Booth. The NMS lion mascots made a special appearance at the photo booth and students could have a “paws-itively” awesome time taking photos with them, having the chance to use animal-themed props for their pictures.

The fundraiser was a student health initiative, according to NMS Physical Education teacher Michelle Fontaine. She said one of the health education classes chose the local nonprofit organization, which promotes compassion and healing through human-to-animal connection, as the beneficiary of the fundraiser.

Fontaine said Persy Frutos had been the main student involved with the initiative from the very beginning.

“We started talking about it in health class, and I said, ‘Well, we should think about maybe planning a fundraiser, and it evolved from there to the event today,” Fontaine said.

Another big part of the endeavor, she said, was to help the students understand how to look for a charitable organization that aligned with their common goals, philosophies, and beliefs.

“And then we tackled everything from how do we plan and organize a fundraiser to getting stuff for the prize basket to having the [NMS] PTA involved,” Fontaine said.

NMS PTA Vice President Jessie Kenney said they were asked by Fontaine and Frutos to help support the fundraiser by handling money and taking pictures of students with the mascots. The NMS PTA also donated all of the leftover change from the book fair to the “Paws for a Cause” fundraiser.

“At the end of the day, we’re just happy to help support their cause,” Kenney said.

The “Paws for a Cause” Fundraiser was also planned as a surprise to Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. Fontaine said that, after they chose to do it, they planned to ask for a representative to visit when they had time, and present them with what they raised.

Having so many students support the fundraiser, Fontaine said, was great to see.

“I think that we have a very charitable group of students here, so whenever someone says they need help, they’re willing to volunteer not only their time, but their additional financial resources to a great cause,” Fontaine said.

For more information about The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, visit cvhfoundation.org.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.