Community Corner
Woodland Students Raise $250 to Help Disabled Puppy
Kristin Ostrowski and Alyssa Hamrick raised $250 to help purchase a cart for Josie, a 5-month-old dog that cannot walk.
Thanks to two girls who showed a desire to bake and love of animals, a spunky puppy named Josie will be closer to moving on its own.
Born with an incomplete spinal cord eight-weeks-old Josie, a golden retriever airdale mix, was brought by her owner to Animal Education and Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue based in Libertyville.
Cindy Hallam, a volunteer who cares for Josie, says the puppy needs a cart to provide her more mobility. Although the five-month-old puppy cannot walk, she has no shortage of energy.
“She has immense survival. She is the most spunky, smartest dog I’ve ever met,” Hallam said.
Researching area shelters she could volunteer with, 11-year-old Kristin Ostrowski of Gurnee discovered Josie on Animal Education and Rescue’s website. Ostrowski enlisted the help of her friend, Alyssa Hamrick, 12, who suggested making and selling cupcakes.
Together, the girls made 106 cupcakes they named “pupcakes,” and sold the treats at Woodland Middle School, where both attend. Ostrowski said the cupcakes were sold out within an hour and a half, and they raised $250.
“We sold the cupcakes for $1. One of our close friends donated $20, and that was the least of our expectations,” said Grayslake resident Hamrick. “We didn’t expect them to be sold that fast.”
At a recent adoption event, the girls presented the check to Animal Education and Rescue and finally met Josie.
“To see we’re raising money for this dog who really needs it, to be giving to the shelter, it means a lot,” Ostrowski said.
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Sandy Wisniewski, founder of Animal Education and Rescue, says donations are essential to help care for the animals. Wisniewski says the girls’ generosity reaffirms the connections between animals and people, and gives her hope for kids in the future.
“I know that when I no longer can take of animals any more, I can pass on the baton and there will be many good kids who will take over the work I am doing,” she said.
At the event, volunteer Teresa Ferretti offered to donate $100, helping to get closer to the $400 needed to purchase Josie a cart.
“She will be well on her way to lead a normal life,” Wisniewski said.
Based on their success, Ostrowski said they plan to collect treats, blankets and donations and will be making more pupcakes to help the organization.
“We don’t really have to consider that. We want to do it again,” Hamrick said.
