Ms. Lauren Fitzgerald, moderator of the Go Green Club and IHA science teacher, had a special connection to the Clifton Animal Shelter. “I bring my dog to Foster Animal Hospital and they offer their veterinary services to the shelter pets,” Ms. Fitzgerald explained. “My aunt, who works at Foster Animal Hospital and who has fostered Clifton Animal Shelter pets, helped by connecting me with the shelter's main volunteers, Liz Taranda and Evelyn Ackley-Raps.” In typical IHA fashion, Ms. Fitzgerald knew the Go Green Club wanted to be active in the community. With the feast of St. Francis in early October, she thought this would be a perfect pairing.

In order to broadcast this drive to the school, Go Green girls made a video commercial of IHA girls' and teachers' dogs. It played on Heart TV for a few weeks before the drive. While collecting items, club members gave students raffle tickets in exchange for the shelter items. The tickets were used for a chance to win prizes including club membership dues, an IHA sweatshirt, gift cards, tickets to the Holly Day Dance, or a free entrée from Café IHA. Ms. Fitzgerald said the entire IHA community was extremely generous during the collection.

Students who participated in the project included Julie Weismiller’16, Dominique Restivo’16, Amy Iafrate’16, Kelly Vanuga’16, Catherine DeKorte’16, Sarah O’Connell’17, and Olivia Sprofera’17. Shannon Revelant’16, Aviana Ingui’16, and Jamie del Rosario’16 also lent a helping hand while sorting and packing. On Saturday, October 17, Dominique and Ms. Fitzgerald dropped off all the items at the Clifton Animal Shelter. The shelter was beyond grateful for all of the generous animal lovers at IHA!