NHS Club Raises Money And Awareness

By Eliza Hallabeck

On Thursday afternoons from 2 until 3 pm in the back room of the Newtown High School library the Vegetarian and Animal Concerns Club meets to discuss upcoming initiatives in the community. On January 29, the members were concerned with a cardboard cat.

The cat, a large cardboard box formed into an image of a cat with a large mouth, has since been stationed in the NHS office while hungrily waiting donations of food to be given to the Animal Center in town. The founder and president of the Animal Center, Monica Roberto, was present during the meeting to be given what the group has collected so far.

“This food drive couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Ms Roberto, adding that donations have been falling generally in relation to the economy. “We always need food donations.”

The Vegetarian and Animal Concerns Club founder Alyssa Silber started the group last year, and now, according to her mother, Lori Silber, there are roughly 17 members in total who attend the group.

The Animal Center, according to Ms Roberto, handled more than 350 animals last year between its rescue program and feral cat program, and works through volunteer efforts to provide shelter for the animals.

Now in particular, she said, there are a number of different cats within the Animal Center.

Ms Silber, who attends the club every week as a parent advisor, said the students in the club have been working on ideas to raise food and toys for the Animal Center since November.

During one meeting of the club, members sewed cat toys, which Alyssa presented to Ms Roberto during the January 29 meeting. The toys were filled with catnip and stuffing.

“These kids are learning so much,” said Ms Silber. Eventually, she said, the club will work toward supporting the Newtown Pound and other animal-related concerns or organizations in the area.

“There are just so many causes,” said Ms Silber.

Members of the club have also been busy working to raise awareness in the high school, and beyond, by having their fellow students sign a petition against deer culling. As of January 29, the club had raised more than 400 signatures, and Ms Silber said, “We’re hoping to get more.”

“Everybody needs to be educated about what’s going on in our town so they have a voice,” said Ms Silber.

The Animal Center was the first focus for the group this year.

Alyssa said the group is educating students, and her mother added that by educating students, the group is also educating parents.

Hopefully, Alyssa said, the cat box will be filled fast with donations of food and toys for the Animal Center.

“Most people just have a box, but to have an actual cat…” Alyssa said.

Alyssa said outside donations of food and cat toys for the Animal Center are welcome to be dropped off at the high school for the club.

Ms Silber said one future goal the group would like to work toward is creating a network of community volunteers who could be contacted with an animal in found injured on the side of the road.

“You guys are doing great stuff,” said Ms Roberto to the group.