TAMPA, Fla. – Mercyfull Animal Shelter, located in Tampa, was recently affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which hit the west coast of Florida in late September and early October. Due to the aftereffects of the hurricanes, Mercyfull has taken in more animals than usual because of displacement and abandonment.
With all the extra animals the shelter has taken on, it lacks the resources to care for them because of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Mercy for Mercyfull is a student-led fundraiser at Plant High School. It will take place from Nov. 11-15.
Image of the poster with details
Ella Reeves, the organizer of the donation drive, was motivated to start this event because she saw the animals. She believed that the animals “deserved the help that I know the Plant community can provide.” As a result, she spearheaded its organization.
Reeves found this shelter through the volunteer-based organization Teens in Action. Teens in Action introduced Reeves to a multitude of different volunteer service sites and was an incredible support system in her attempt to help the community. After some research, she chose Mercyfull to volunteer at. Reeves loves animals and thought it would be an incredible opportunity to give back to her community.
After visiting and volunteering at the shelter for the first time, Reeves knew she could help. The strong Plant community has accomplished so much for a multitude of different causes, and she saw this as her opportunity to make a change.
Reeves began with the logistics of organizing a fundraiser. After receiving permission from the shelter’s director, she typed up a proposal for the fundraiser. She planned out all promotions, collections, and everything else needed to host a fundraiser of this magnitude. Thankfully, the proposal was approved. Reeves got permission from the school’s principal to collect any donations in the front office, while she got permission from another teacher.
Plant’s avid teacher, Mrs. Houston, “loves all animals and would do anything for them.” As a result, another collection site was created, and Reeves was ready to promote the event. She began by printing out multiple flyers, which were hung up around the school, and then getting in contact with multiple clubs to help spread the word that animals at the shelter needed help. The student government, Speak Up Club, and other clubs promoted the donation drive with social media posts and word of mouth.
The fundraiser will start a week from Nov. 4, and all that can be done is wait and hope the Plant community can work together to help the animals in need.
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