Kids top fundraising total with pet project

Stormy weather delayed plans for one neighborhood Independence Day celebration, but the party went off without a hitch a couple of days later and raised a good chunk of change for the Franklin County Humane Society.

For the sixth year in a row, two lake-area couples hosted a neighborhood block party to celebrate the Fourth at The Waterfront and invited their friends and neighbors. The grandchildren of Chris and Clif Collins and Jim and Ellen McMichael sold baked goods, crafts and original artwork at the party with proceeds earmarked for the nonprofit.

And while attendance at the July 6 party was down from years past, likely because of the date change and inclement weather, the children managed to raise the most money ever: $162.

“It was a lot more than they expected,” Chris Collins said of the youths’ windfall.

Caeleb Collins, Cori Morgan, Molly Morgan, Fiona McMichael and James McMichael, who range in age from 8 to 13, all took part in making cookies, homemade bracelets and paint-your-own decorative glasses.

“They were all busy making bracelets when they got here,” said Collins. “The kids are all very close, and they get along really good with one another.”

In previous years, the children created original art, presented plays, put on musicals, held a bake sale and hosted competitive games, while the adults prepared dishes to share, as well as home-brewed beers, said Collins.

“Everybody brings an appetizer or hors d’oeuvres, and we always have hot dogs for the kids,” she said.

Because the children didn’t get a chance to take the proceeds they earned from the sale to the humane society before they had to head back home, Collins said she anticipated that they’ll be back in town soon and plan to stop by the humane society’s adoption center, which is located on U.S. 220 South near Rocky Mount, to make the presentation.

When the kids first began creating and selling things at the Independence Day celebration six years ago, Collins said the children were the ones who selected the humane society as the beneficiary.

“We all have dogs, and we love our pets,” she said.

When they first visited the humane society several years ago, the children got to see firsthand where the money they raised goes.

“They thought that was pretty cool,” Collins said.

Through their efforts, it’s estimated that the kids have raised hundreds of dollars for the Franklin County Humane Society, which is grateful for the support, according to its president, Donna Essig.

“This is a wonderful way to support the humane society’s efforts. The donations will be used to provide veterinary care, and food and shelter for the animals at the adoption center,” said Essig. “We don’t receive government funding and rely on donations from compassionate people who open their hearts to animals in need.”

According to its website, the humane society was founded in 1978. In 2000, it opened a low-cost spay/neuter clinic known as Planned Pethood, which is subsidized by donations from contributors. In 2009, the humane society opened its Adoption Center, which serves as a temporary home for dogs and cats until they are adopted.

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