By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
Hays first-grader Johanna Jones’ idea to forgo birthday gifts in lieu of donations to Western Plains Animal Refuge turned out to be a great one, as hundreds of community members and classmates came to Orscheln Farm and Home in Hays, raising $815 for the shelter Saturday.
“I feel good about myself, because I think I did really good job,” Johanna, who turned 7 on Sunday, said with a smile.
WPAR board member Kristin Reed agreed, stating though WPAR volunteers go to Orscheln every month for the awareness and adoption event, more than 100 people attended Saturday’s morning’s event.
“It is the biggest Orscheln event we have ever had,” she said. “It’s very generous that anyone, let alone a 7-year-old, would want to share all of this with us,” Reed said, adding more donations are coming in through the website and the total may reach Johanna’s intended goal of $1,010 by Sunday evening.
Johanna’s mother, Stacey Jones, thanked all who attended.
“I am ecstatic. I can’t even begin to thank everyone for coming out and giving her donations,” she said. “I thought we would be lucky to raise $100. I am so proud of Johanna and her efforts today.”
Stacey said the event also inspired a family to adopt a WPAR puppy named Kit, who will soon spend a few days with the family to ensure the adoption is a good match.
WPAR is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter and one of the only shelters in the state that can accept wildlife with the help of a licensed wildlife rehab coach.
All donated funds go directly toward the care of the animals and to buying a new building.
WPAR was formerly located in a facility near Ellis, but closed its doors in January due to costly repairs for a building “not really suited as an animal shelter” but generously donated to WPAR for temporary use according to WPAR director Brendan McCambell.
WPAR is still accepting animals and placing them in foster homes.
To volunteer, adopt or foster an animal, go to WPAR website or call (785) 259-3675 or email [email protected].