Girl Scouts raise funds for Humane Society

The dogs and cats at the Humane Society of Yuma have a few extra friends thanks to a local Girl Scout troop.

Junior Troop 233, led by Carrie Saunders and Karen Goudy, collected $101.32 in change with the help of their classmates at Desert Mesa Elementary School. The money will help the homeless pets at the Humane Society of Yuma (HSOY).

The girls started off with an idea to help the HSOY. Unsure exactly what to buy, the troop decided to raise money.

That's when the girls, made up of five different third-grade classes at Desert Mesa, decided to have a friendly competition and help the animals at the same time.

They decorated recycled boxes to look like dogs and placed one in each third-grade classroom - and the competition was on.

In the end, every one of the animals at the HSOY is a winner with the more than $100 Troop 233 was able to donate.

The girls, now in the fourth grade, dropped off their donation earlier this month.

Saunders said the summer break made it difficult for all of the troop to get together, and with the start of the new school year, they were able to coordinate a day.

"I was thrilled that we were able to get all the girls to go down there because I wanted each and every one of them to feel proud of what they accomplished," she said.

Helping others is a foundation in Scouting, Saunders said, something the troop leaders try to emphasize.

"We just thought it was important to do something, and they were interested in raising money," she said.

And all of the girls love animals, she said.

They even worked on their Junior Pet Care Badge while at the HSOY.

"The girls had a blast," Saunders said. "The (staff at the) Humane Society were fantastic.

"It was really fulfilling for me to see them so excited about giving."

And for the HSOY, it's great to see everyone willing to help out and give, said Cookie Wagter, director of business administration.

"It's awesome, it shows that even starting down with the youngest on up," she said. "It is a really touching thing that it's not just the parents.

"They thought that up all themselves. And it is inspiring to us."