By Meghan McCormick
Brenda Nally wanted her second grade class at Eisenhower Elementary to learn the importance of civic responsibility as she read a children's book to them one day back in December.
Nally's 20 students listened, and they came up with an idea to help out a local attraction.
"We read about the earth angels and we thought about it. The Little River Zoo needed some help," student Maggie Brown, 7, said.
Nally said some students in her class have volunteered at the zoo.
Jakob Culliferi, 7, said he visits the zoo and volunteered at the facility last summer. He helped employees feed and clean up after the animals.
"That was the hardest part," he said.
Jakob's classmate Olivia Gifford, 7, said she and her classmates wanted to raise money for the zoo.
"Lots of kids in the class go there," Olivia said, adding that last year, zoo employees brought several animals to the school for a visit.
"They came out and told us about the animals. They brought a porcupine and miniature pony," Olivia said.
Nally said she and the class decided to make small ornaments and sell them as a fundraiser. Students crafted about 100 ornaments and decorations during an art class.
"We made reindeer pins and magnets," Ashlyn Jones, 8, said.
Students put posters up inside the building alerting fellow students and teachers about their mission and merchandise.
It took two days to sell the inventory.
"At the end of the day, we didn't have anything left," Nally said.
Nally's class raised $220. But Tuesday morning, the teacher had a bigger surprise for her students. An anonymous donor agreed to double the amount.
"The check will be for $440," she said.
Little River Zoo director and co-founder Janet Sadler said $440 will help the zoo tremendously.
"Four hundred dollars can buy food for the animals and keep them healthy and safe throughout the winter," Sadler said. "That is primarily our focus."
Sadler said almost 400 animals from 100 species call the zoo home.
"It is the neatest thing in the world when kids on their own will make such an effort to take care of something outside themselves and help someone," she said. "It reminds us why we're here."
Sadler said during winter months, people don't visit the zoo as often as they do when the weather is warmer. Believe it or not, the animals miss the attention and interaction with humans.
"Animals are human socialized and enjoy the interaction with people," she said. "We can tell a difference in their behavior. They look forward to the interaction with guests."
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com
