Summer campers at the Oxford Early Learning Center got a welcome interruption to their day on Friday, Aug. 17 when volunteers from K9 Stray Rescue League and Scruffy the dog stopped by to say thank you for the work the summer campers had done on their behalf.
Over the summer, these summer campers raised $575 and made 22 fleece pads that can hide dog treats to donate to K9 Stray Rescue League’s efforts. The campers raised their money through a bake sale, a car wash and a garage sale.
“We chose (K9 Stray Rescue League) because we knew that a lot of dogs were in need,” said 11-year-old Brenna Tonkovich. “We knew that these dogs didn’t really have homes and we wanted to help them find some.”
According to camp program director Sue Roeher, the campers got to choose a charity they thought was in need of real help. She said this, coupled with the learning that comes with working together, gave the campers something to work toward all summer.
K9 Stray Rescue League works to save stray dogs from euthanasia. The organization works with shelters in other states that have an excess of stray dogs and brings them to Michigan to be adopted. Not only does K9 Stray Rescue League give these dogs a chance to be adopted, but it provides dental, grooming, spay and neutering services.
Scruffy, for instance, is in need of hundreds of dollars worth in dental care before he’s adopted. So, the funds raised by the campers could go a long way for a dog. Knowing this, Roeher is proud of what the campers learned and accomplished over the summer.
Roeher said she and the campers were fortunate to schedule the bake sale on the same day as the primary elections on Aug. 7 and that the majority of the funds came from those exercising their right to vote. She said the campers made a slew of treats ranging from the traditional chocolate chip cookies to edible slime and Mountain Dew cookies.
“They were given all the stuff to bake everything and some kids baked stuff at home and brought it in,” she said. “They were at the front door when parents walked in and at the front door when parents walked out… (International Baccalaureate), the curriculum we use, talks about giving back to the community and doing things for others, and this was our way of doing that.”
Roeher said aside from learning how important it is to help those who cannot help themselves, the campers learned a great deal about leading, following, working together and knowing what it’s like to benefit the community and see it firsthand.
She said while they had fun and might not even realize they’ve helped something bigger than themselves, it’s a habit the campers will, she hopes, learn to carry forward. Tonkovich, for one, thinks she’s learned a great deal this summer through working hard and giving everything earned to someone who needs it more.
“It’s not just about yourself and making money,” Tonkovich said. “Sometimes it’s really about just giving back to the community. I learned that when you help people in need, it really does impact a lot more than you think.”