On March 16 through April 17, the “Friends of the Tracy’s Animal Shelter” (Non- Profit for the Shelter) hosted their second annual Coins for Canines and Cats fundraiser with the goal to help raise money for the homeless animals that reside in the shelter. This fundraiser was a writing contest for students who enjoy writing and even an art contest. The writing contest is separated through each grade with different prompts and different word counts to keep it challenging for all grades.
For the grades 3-5 they have the option to write a story about animals who find their forever home or to write about how an animal can help humans in many ways, through companionship or even physically and it must be between 150-300 words. Then for grades 6-8 they are given the option to write a short story, poem or essay about how caring for animals teaches empathy and kindness. All of the options must be between 300-500 words. Then finally, for grades 9-12 they are given the option to write a reflective essay, short story or an opinion piece on how humans and animals help each other survive and thrive through the wild, at home, through rescue or by rehabilitation these options are between 500-800 words. The top 3 get a trophy as well as a cash reward, $150 for first, $100 for second and $75 for third place. 
The art contest has one theme for all participants, “A friend from the Shelter” this prompt should be an original piece it is meant to show the bond between people and animals. They must write 2-4 short sentences on the back explaining their piece and to explain how it connects to the theme. Just like the writing prize the top 3 places get a trophy as well as the same cash prize. For both contests the top winners from each grade level will be invited to an event to receive their reward as well as explain their pieces and read them.
This fundraiser originally started off just for Tracy Unified students, but Saint Bernard’s has been made aware of this fundraiser and have decided to help.
“Saint Benard’s funneling some coins too so it’s just great networking, but I love how community is coming together for this cause.” June Yasemsky shared.
Yasemsky has shared that she has been happily overwhelmed by the support, many teachers have reached out for clarifications and even the guidelines for these contests. She said she was very pleased with the number of students who have reached out and checked if they have hit the word count or if doing poetry is allowed. She said more than just the attempt to do these contests it makes her happy to know that these students are connecting to the prompts and that they are pouring their all into it.
Yasemsky has this fundraiser targets students in this fundraiser to try and help them get taught many different attributes to help them become good people, “I think it’s critically important to target the younger generation,” Yasemsky states. “As a former educator you want to build compassion and it’s critical to do that at a younger age.”
All the proceeds go to the animals in many different things animals need, the big one being medical care. Many different programs funded is the spade and neuter program as well as getting pet chiropractors, getting pet behaviorists, food, pee pads and everything else that can help build a healthy and clean environment for the animals.
Clyde is a pit bull who has been described as “a big ball of pit who’s just the sweetest,” he has been in the shelter for over two years. They have been putting up many different posters all over Tracy in attempt to get him adopted and as of April 16 he has been adopted! The shelter is filled with many animals who have walked all kinds of lives who are waiting for a loving family. As the shelter says adopt not shop when it comes to bringing in these furry friends’ home.
