Recently, the Springs School Diversity Club was granted a reward for all of its hard work. On Feb. 11 club members boarded a school bus and rode to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons adoption center as a reward for having completed acts of service on Martin Luther King’s Birthday. Some of the acts of service included helping out at the local food pantry, watching younger siblings, and picking up trash in dog parks.
When the students arrived at ARF with ear-to-ear grins on their faces, each child was mesmerized by the adorable animals pining for attention from the enthusiastic group. After a tour of the facility, including exclusive looks into ARF offices and training rooms, the group was given a task to help promote animal adoption. All club members were given a poster-size sheet of paper, and were able to pick an animal they wanted to advertise. The posters helped showcase the animals that had yet to be adopted and had been at the shelter for a long time. The kids drew portraits of the dogs and cats, including their special needs and characteristics.
After the club members finished their posters, they were able to create their own Valentine to give to the animals at ARF. The students were able to meet some of ARF’s friendliest animals before they left, and all of the students came out of the experience with a little more love in their hearts for these animals.
By Rafaela DeMartis, Grade 8