From left to right: Ron Perez, Amy Gregory, Alicia McGee, Karyn Johnson, Matthew Sill (with Ziggy), Michael Ray, Jo Adele Foster, Mari Warfel.
Students from two Questar III schools – Catskill Academy and Columbia-Greene Educational Center – teamed up to help support the Pet Food Bank at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society (CGHS). Students coordinated this effort to end on Valentine’s Day, with their project theme of “Love Your Pets”.
Volunteer students who joined this effort at the Columbia-Greene Educational Center are members of Friends of Rachel, an organization coordinated by Jo Adele Foster, a Questar III social worker that focuses on anti-bullying and working together to help the school and other local organizations. Students collected food and cash donations, and also sold decorated Valentine packets of dog and cat treats to raise additional funds.
According to Catskill Academy Social Worker Mari Warfel the “Our “Love Your Pets” project was an opportunity to use 21st century skills such as teamwork, communication and community service. “We also wanted to educate students on the importance of supporting our local Humane Society, which provides so many benefits to our area.”
Principal Andy Pemrick added, “Service projects encourage young people to become involved in community activities. At Catskill Academy, we are especially aware of the positive effects animals play in our lives as seen by the students’ interactions with Ziggy, a certified therapy dog, who frequently visits our center. Ziggy was originally adopted from the Humane Society, and went through extensive training with Ms. Warfel. He is a valued member of the Catskill Academy community.”
The CGHS/SPCA’s Food Bank provides free pet food for local families. According to Ron Perez, president of the CGHS, “The CGHS/SPCA food bank provides free pet food to hundreds of local families who are experiencing financial hardships. We deeply appreciate the time, effort and generosity of the students, staff and faculty at Questar III. The food and financial donations from Questar III will go a long way to help families feed their pets.“
