A huge thank you to all of the students and parents who brought in articles for the Hillside Animal Shelter. It is a no-kill animal shelter located outside of Pottsville, Pa. and is the home of many dogs and cats (other critters too!) that are up for waiting to be adopted by a loving person or family. The 4th, 5th and 6th grade bands donate to this animal shelter each year and I can attest that they use every article that is donated from dog food to a roll of paper towels. Old bath towels or blankets are also in great demand and are just asked to be washed before bringing them in. Those of you who know me and all of the students know that I am a HUGE dog lover (other animals too!) and along with music, helping these wonderful animals is another one of my passions. I feel that pets are a huge part of teaching children unconditional love, kindness to others and acceptance of others, no matter what their differences may be. They not only teach love but are also there to help us as search and rescue dogs, assistance dogs for the physically handicapped and endless other jobs that they willingly perform.

The donations will be taken to the shelter after the concert so any more donations will be accepted at that time. For those of you who are not band students or parents, the following items are needed the most. Even one bag of cotton balls will be greatly appreciated, being that many of the animals arrive with ear infections.

HILLSIDE ANIMAL SHELTER WISHLIST

Dog and cat food, both canned and dry

chew bones for dogs

blankets (please wash if necessary)

aluminum dog dishes (the dogs chew plastic ones!)

dog brushes

cat toys

cat treats

terry towels (bath towels, etc.)

cat litter, litter pans, letter boxes

 cat condos

cotton balls cotton swabs

flea combs

paper towels

cleaning products (windex, clorox, pine sol)

dish washing detergent

laundry detergent

scrubbing pads

brooms

plastic dust pans

garbage bags (30 gallon and 55 gallon sizes)