Witt Elementary School's newly formed Student Council wanted to participate in a service project this spring, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
The students, two from each fourth and fifth grade class, voted unanimously to hold a donation drive for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue - just four miles down the road from their school.
The goal was to collect 1,000 items.
Student council members planned their donation drive, made signs, promoted it on the morning news, held signs at car-rider drop-off, collected items from each building, counted and sorted items, and loaded up all donations in the van.
The Good News? They exceeded their goal with more than 1,000 items, such as blankets, toys, treats and food.
The animal rescue organization rewarded the students for their hard work by providing some puppy cuddle time (this helps the puppies with socialization skills, too!) as they came to pick up the donations.
"The Gene Witt Student Council looks forward to having this donation drive become an annual springtime service project," said advisor, Brittani Barnes.
As for the donations coming at the right time...
On March 15th, Honor Animal Rescue jumped into action when nearly 200 dogs were discovered in a hoarding case near Ocala.
From puppies to senior dogs, more than 50 of those rescues were brought back to Manatee County.
Honor Animal Rescue continues to care for those animals until they are ready for adoption.
In the meantime, they are seeking out foster homes and donations.
You can visit their Facebook page for more information at this link: https://www.facebook.com/HonorAnimalRescue.