During a visit to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, Cheryl Raymond, a second-grade teacher at Ashland Central School, learned just how much the facility relies on public support to operate. Raymond began wondering what she could do to help and soon came up with a plan that she could do in her classroom, which would include her students in the donation process.
Photo courtesy of Julie Graham-Berry
PICTURED HERE are some of the items that Mrs. Raymond’s second-grade class in Ashland gets to choose from for a donation to the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
At the beginning of the 2007 school year, Mrs. Raymond changed things up a bit. Using a list of necessities from the Presque Isle animal shelter, Raymond gathered together such items as canned cat food, dog collars, pet toys, etc. and put them into a donation box. She also replenished her classroom “prize box” with small toys, erasers, pencils and novelties that young children enjoy. When school began, she explained to her class that the “reward system” of stickers for good work and behavior would be much the same as it had been for them in first grade. However, there was a twist. The students would have the option of taking a prize for themselves once they earned 35 stickers or to choose a donation for the animal shelter after earning 25 stickers.
Also, if the student wanted to donate an item to the shelter that was not in the donation box, he or she could choose to trade for Doggie Dollars or Kitty Coupons to be used toward purchasing their specific item. Now, when you are seven or eight years old, rewarding yourself or giving to someone else can be a tough decision, but the students in Mrs. Raymond’s class liked having the choice. All of the children traded for the shelter at least once during the school year with the exception of Emily Lothrop, who consistently opted to give back to the Humane Society. Another student, Ariana Stadig, decided to take up a newspaper collection in her hometown and also received many generous monetary donations for the shelter. On behalf of herself and her students, Mrs. Raymond was able to deliver two boxes of items to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, one at Christmastime and then again at the end of the school year. Going forward, Cheryl and her students will continue to support the needs of the shelter in the same manner.
Mrs. Raymond definitely hit a home run with her idea. Her “reward system” does more than just help to meet the needs of a service organization within our area; it teaches a silent lesson in selflessness to her students and fosters a spirit of giving which will stay with them, we hope, throughout their lives. Thank you Cheryl for your good work.
Portage Lake Playground
fund-raiser
Community members are invited to a Noah’s Ark animal workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Portage Lake Municipal Building. Prices range from $10-$15 depending on the animal your child chooses.
A duck, lamb, bear, bee and frog are just a few of the animals your child will be able to choose from.
A Noah’s Ark stuffing workshop will allow children of all ages the opportunity to make their own cuddly stuffed animal and name them, while also building their creativity, imagination and originality! Many animals for your child to choose from, but there will be a first-come, first-served basis. Please call 435-8277 to reserve your spot. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
All proceeds will benefit the Portage Lake Playground Fund.
Oct. 4 playground build
postponed
Due to inclement weather and the inability to do necessary ground preparation, the erection of the “Just 4 Kids Family Play Park” had to be rescheduled. The new date is Saturday, Oct. 18. Everything else will remain the same with a start time of 8 a.m. on the new date. Please call Andrea White with any questions or to volunteer your time at 435-6363.
Ongoing Events
The Ashland Area Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday at noon at the Aroostook River Fish and Game Club. Any senior citizens wishing to participate in the potluck lunches and meetings are always welcome.
The Portage Lake Seniors’ Lunch is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall. All seniors are invited to attend and can bring a potluck dish to share or give a cash donation. For more information, contact Wilza Robertson at 435-6211 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
The Red Hat Loonies of Portage Lake meet the second Thursday of every month at Dean’s Motor Lodge. Membership dues are $2. Come and have a great meal and a great time, too! For more information, contact Rachel Stevens at 435-6358.
If you can help plan for Portage Lake’s Centennial Celebration, please contact Barb Pitcairn at 435-2368 or Grace Nason at 435-6373.
Ladies, are you interested in crafts or have some that you’ve started and just can’t seem to finish? If so, take yourself over to the Portage Lake Municipal Building for Girlz Night every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the company and the satisfaction of finally completing a project!
(Julie Graham-Berry is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-7137).
Contributed photo
