Episcopal Students Donate $3300 to Humane Society

April 28, 2007 — On the days of Wednesday, April 18 – Friday, April 20, Episcopal students worked tirelessly to raise money and supplies for the recently destroyed Jacksonville Humane Society. Biology teacher Mrs. Sally Russo instructed her students to design paper lunch bags as animals to be used as donation bags in classrooms and office buildings on campus. Every day during lunch periods, students sat in the Buck Student Center lobby and asked those who passed for donations, grateful for even small change. In addition, faculty members Mrs. Heather Oulton and Mrs. Nancy Prendergast organized a drive to donate items such as bleach, mops, blankets, towels, buckets, office supplies and newspapers to the society.

As an added incentive for students, Head of Middle School Ms. Pat Andrews, theology teacher Mr. Andrew Davies and English teacher Mr. William Valentine offered to dress as cats and dogs when certain giving levels were reached. To the students’ satisfaction, all three faculty members plan to don ears and paws in early May.

Mrs. Russo commented about the student response, “I was amazed at how much was accomplished in just three days. The volume of donations we received and the enthusiasm the kids showed blew me away.”

Director of Community Service Sis Van Cleve-Miller echoed Mrs. Russo’s sentiments, commenting, “This response is a wonderful example of how giving the Episcopal High School community is. The Humane Society is an incredible organization, and we are honored to help it get back on its feet.”

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The mission of Episcopal High School is to provide a superior college- preparatory education in an environment marked by high expectation, Christian nurture and social diversity. Through a balanced program of academics, arts and athletics, Episcopal’s faculty seeks to instill in each student intellectual growth, character development, responsible leadership and a commitment to community service.