While it may seem to adults that children are lost in their own world, not paying attention to what’s going on, here’s evidence to indicate otherwise.

When students — primary through high school — at The Attic Learning Community in Woodinville were assigned the task of researching and presenting a topic to parents for Project Interest Night, many chose topics that raise awareness about the community and the environment.

One such project inspired many of the students to band together and find a way to make a difference.

The project? Puppy Mills, and the role the Humane Society, public donations and volunteers, play in rescuing animals from tragic environments.

The Attic students of all ages painted pictures and made origami to sell at their school lunch hour.

Penny, by nickel, by dollar, the students collected donations until the end of the school year. 

One child, Maya Ballard, just 6 years old, held out her tiny hand; in it she held her “life savings,” a little bag of coins and dollars she had been collecting.

So on a sunny Sunday in May, a few students and their parents met up in Bellevue at the Humane Society to represent The Attic and make the donation.

The education and training director for the Seattle Humane Society, Wendy Laxton, was there to greet them, accept their heart-felt donation and presented the children a Certificate of Appreciation and bright red Seattle Humane Society wristbands.

Wendy then took them on a guided tour of the facilities, and pointed out that it is the desperately needed donations and the volunteers that make saving the lives of animals possible.

So you see, the children are paying attention, and when given a chance, will surprise you with their caring and passion.

Giavonne Mitchell,

The Attic Learning Community