4th Annual DMS Pennies for Puppies Campaign the Biggest Ever
Even with the smallest sponsoring FCCLA Club ever and the smallest DMS student population since the campaign began, this year’s FCCLA Pennies for Puppies campaign at the Daphne Middle School raised 69% more money to benefit the Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) than it had ever raised for a total of $1447. “Forty-one percent of this increase can be attributed to a dress-down day permitted by the DMS principal James Oliphant,” stated FCCLA Club sponsor Kay Taylor.
Jacob Stephens, FCCLA Club President, presented the check to Sonja Presley, BARC! Executive Director. Presley remarked “DMS FCCLA students were the recipient of the 3rd Annual Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award presented by us in April 2010. They continue to be a motivated group of students who want to help the homeless, abused and abandoned animals.”
This year’s theme was “Make a Puppy Lucky.” Taylor attributes DMS’s success to caring kids, a supportive administration, and hard-working FCCLA club members.
Present for the FCCLA Club check presentation ceremony were, from left: Lanier Sandefur; FCCLA Club president Jacob Stephens presenting the check to Sonja Presley, BARC! Executive Director; Sarah Jane Reynolds; Jaria Mitchell; Christine Sherwin, BARC! Vice President; Dr. Stephanie Powe, BARC! board member; Joseph Hurley; Wendy Vogel, BARC! board member; Maisie Bartle and Rashel Rivera.
BARC! is an adoption agency -- rather than a shelter -- which averages rehoming 300 dogs and cats annually. All donations are important and will benefit the 501(c)3 not-for-profit. BARC! was established in 1979 and was the county’s first animal advocacy group.