CASI Executive Director Lisa Schuette speaks to Nancy Cole's 3rd graders at Empire Elementary Friday while employing the help of three students to hold her sign.
One of Empire Elementary School’s third grade classes saved up two piggy banks full of cash and donated it to the Carson Animal Services Initiative on Friday.
Teacher Nancy Cole and 21 students raised $42 for CASI to contribute to its projects, such as its low-income spay and neuter program, a play yard, shelter alarm systems, and other future projects.
CASI raises money to build safe and quality animal shelter environments for pets awaiting adoption in Carson City. Recently, the organization launched a program to help low-income pet owners spay and neuter their pets, and is almost finished installing a new play yard at the Nevada Humane Society at 549 Airport Road.
The organization spent more than $28,000 on the play yard project and is committing to $10,000 for the low-income program.
CASI Chairperson Lisa Schuette accepted the piggy banks and spoke to kids about the program in class.
“It’s about getting our children involved,” Cole said, also a longtime contributor of CASI. “They need to know that they can make a difference and they are our future.”
Students also regularly make donations to Friends in Service Helping (FISH) and support the homeless in the community by dropping off toiletries in a basket.
“I’m just blown away by this community,” Cole said. “It’s my philosophy to give back.”
As of last year, Carson City received its first no-kill shelter when the new Nevada Humane Society opened its doors, with 95 percent return and adoption rate, Schuette said.