KIDS DO THE DARNDEST THINGS

Diego - then & now gorgeous and recovering nicely thanks to the help of wonderful children in our community.

Gilbert, AZ – Ask a six year old to see their wish list for their birthday gifts and you might expect to see a list that includes a toy truck or a doll. Ask children to put on a play, and you might expect them to charge the neighbors $2.00 to earn movie money. The animals and volunteers at Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary are learning that for some junior philanthropists, this just isn’t the case.

The phenomenon began several months ago, in the Fall of 2006 when it was discovered by teachers and administrators at a Gila Bend elementary school that the children had been saving “leftovers” from their lunch boxes and feeding them to an injured stray dog that the children knew was hiding in the school field. The faculty contacted Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary to help the injured animal, where volunteers named him Diego. Upon medical examination, it was discovered that the Diego had Tic Fever, Valley Fever, a severely dislocated hip, and required surgery to repair what appeared to be an amateur “do it yourself” neuter procedure. Medical expenses were mounting for Diego, but never fear…the Kindergarten through 6th grade children took up a collection at school and raised $250 to assist with Diego’s medical expenses. They also wrote personal thank you notes to the volunteers at Friends for Life. Diego’s injuries have healed and he is gaining weight. He is still on medication for Tic and Valley fever but he is well on his way to recovery and he is very thankful to the children for rescuing him.

Will Perry is another philanthropic boy wonder. In celebration of his 6th birthday, Will asked that his friends not bring toys and gifts FOR HIM to his party, but rather than they bring toys and gifts for the homeless animals at Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary. Friends for Life on site caregiver, Erica Wellman said “Will had a wonderful time giving treats and toys to each and every dog and cat here at the shelter. He is a natural when it comes to the animals and I was very impressed with his maturity in communicating with them!”

Let’s not forget Andrea Consalvi, a Gilbert Junior High School student who put on a play, and donated $1.00 from every ticket sold to Friends for Life. She raised $210.00 that will help provide medical care for the animals.

Friends for Life is a regsistered 501(c )3, registered non-profit, volunteer based, no-kill organization that has approximately 130 dogs and cats in it's care at any given time. Friends for Life does not receive government funding and relies on donations, adoptions, fundraisers and public generosity to raise the $15,000 per month required to provide the basics of food, shelter, and medical care for the animals. To learn more about Friends for Life, or how you can volunteer, donate, plan a fundraiser, or adopt, visit them on line at www.azfriends.org or call (480) 497-8296.