Kids' donation to animal shelter ends on a high note

Many kids, when they meet a furry, four-legged friend, want to wrap their arms around it and give it a big squeeze. 

But Summer and Tova, two seven-year-old best friends from Collingwood, wanted to do more, so they decided to do something a little different for their birthdays this year. 

Instead of asking for presents, the girls asked their families for money, and then they pooled it together and donated it all to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS) to help animals in need.

“It was the sweetest thing,” said Jenna Davis, Summer’s mother. 

The girls managed to donate almost $300 between the two of them, and the staff at the GTHS were blown away by their generosity.  

So, on Dec. 20, as part of the humane society’s 12 Days of Gratitude, the GTHS shared their appreciation for youth animal heroes, such as Summer and Tova, who went out of their way to support the humane society this past year. 

According to Abigail Krogman, fundraising coordinator at the GTHS, animal heroes refers anyone who supports the humane society’s programs and services in any way. Krogman said there are approximately 30 kids who donate to the GTHS in their own way every year, from raising funds at a lemonade stand and donating their birthday money, to bringing in food and toys for the animals. 

“It’s super inspiring,” said Krogman. “As a non-profit charity, every dollar counts. And when kids do it… it’s just so beautiful.” 

After donating their money, Summer and Tova got to hang out in the kitten room.

“It was so cute to see them so happy,” said Davis. “To them that was their present, and they were really thrilled about that.” 

Davis and Tova’s mother, Jennifer Day, posted a photo of their daughters holding kitchens on their social media accounts, saying how proud they were of their girls. The post ended up getting shared several times, and in the days that followed, a local music teacher reached out.

“She saw the post and said it was the most amazing thing,” said Davis. “For their kindness, she wanted to offer them free music lessons.” 

So Summer and Tova got to attend two music lessons together, and Davis said Summer loved it so much, it opened a whole other door for her. 

“The girls didn’t realize how much it was going to help other people,” said Davis. “This was the first time they had done anything like this, especially at seven years old, so I think they were amazed by how happy it made the workers.”