From School Store to Shelter: Kids’ Donation Helps Animals in Need

Recently, we welcomed students from the Cushing Community School’s School Store team to Pope Memorial Humane Society. These remarkable students have worked hard over the past few months, raising money for the animals of PMHS!

Members of the Cushing Community School’s School Store Team delivered a donation of $346 to Pope Memorial Humane Society on June 7.

“We want to donate this money to Pope because we think your cause is good, and we hope these animals find a home, “ said Jakob Cash, a 4th grader and one of the school store managers who helped hand over their giant check. The funds will be part of Pope’s Sherman Medical Fund matching funds program, so the total value of the donation is nearly $700.

The team of 11 students has run their store, called the Captain’s Ship, throughout the year. Cushing is a K-5 school, home of the “Cushing Captains.” The store sold pencils, pens, stickers, notebooks, rulers, fidgets and other small school supplies. The store was open each week during arrival time in the morning and staffed by students who had jobs as cashier or customer support. Customer support involved helping shoppers make selections, add up purchases, and count out money to pay

“School store staff got to learn how to count and add money, fast adding and subtracting,” said Zachary Fales. Providing a real-world experience with money – for shoppers and cashiers – was one of the goals for the store, according to school store team advisor and school principal, Dawn Jones.

However, for students the store experience was a lot more. “I learned how to take my time and how to figure out how much to spend on products for the store,” said fourth grader John Young. “When you advertise more people shop,” said Fales. “It takes a lot of teamwork,” said 5th grade store manager Quinton Daniels. “But with teamwork, you get the job done.”

We are so thankful to be part of such a kind and generous community. The students of Cushing Community School are leading by example, and we have no doubt they will continue to do great things. These students are making a difference in the lives of homeless pets in need, and we can’t thank them enough!