Lester B Pearson Public School - York Region District School Board - Who Is NOBODY?

Asking school to help keep shelter pets warm

An Aurora youth has taken her love of animals one step further.

One glance around 10-year-old Lyndsay Corrick’s room shows her passion for all things cuddly and furry.

A poster of a dalmatian surrounded by kittens hanging on her wall inspires Lyndsay to stand out from the crowd, along with other posters telling her to go her own way and be her own person.

I really love animals, they are just my thing— Lyndsay Corrick, grade 5 student

“I really love animals,” said the Grade 5 Lester B. Pearson Public School student said. “They are just my thing.”

Stuffed dogs line the bottom of her bunk beds and a cork board jammed with pictures of animals — dogs and cats are her favourite — create a mosaic near her bedroom door.

She inquired about volunteering at the Kennel Inn, an animal shelter in Aurora, but was disappointed to find out she did not meet the age requirement.

However, her determination to help animals in limbo at the shelter did not diminish.

Her Grade 5 class is participating in the “who is Nobody” program, where students are given a doll named Nobody. By completing good deeds in the community and attaching something to the doll representing the good works, Nobody becomes Somebody.

“I decided I wanted to help the animals by collecting blankets for the dogs and cats at the shelter,” she said.

“They need them because they often have to lay on the cold concrete floor.”

I want to help any way I can, I have a special bond with animals— Lyndsay Corrick, grade 5 student

She wrote a note explaining her intentions to hold a blanket drive at her school, which was published in the school’s newsletter so parents and students would see.

“I thought it would be a good idea to do it at the school because our school participates so much,” she explained.

At the end of the month, Rubbermaid bins will be placed in the front foyer of the school where parents can drop off old blankets and towels for the animal shelter.

In fact, she is already receiving donations.

“I have a special bond with animals,” she said. “I want to help any way I can.”

The response is expected to be huge just within the school community so Lyndsay is not searching for donations from residents, however, the animal shelter is always in need of specific items such as bowls, cat food, chew toys, cat toys and more.

To make a donation or to find out which items are needed at the Kennel Inn, visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/ON81.html or contact the Inn at 905-727-4646 or email info@kennel-inn.com

This article was published in the The Era Banner Newspaper on January 20th 2008