Tuttle School K-5 Students Raise $1,000 For Hamden Animal Shelter

EAST HAVEN, CT – Grove J. Tuttle Elementary School students are showing abandoned
and abused dogs "where the love is" with a $1,000 donation to a Hamden animal shelter.

Students in grades kindergarten through 5 donated $1 to wear animal or Super Bowl-related T-shirts and purchase Valentine LolliGrams at the school on Valentine’s Day, according to teacher Renee McIntyre.

The money raised is being donated to Where The Love Is, a non-profit animal rescue shelter in Hamden, and will be used to help cover the costs of providing medical care and shelter to abused dogs.

The check will be presented during a school assembly to a volunteer representative of the shelter, along with one of the puppies available for adoption, this Friday.

“We used the theme of Love and Hearts as our focus to share the love with these animals,” McIntyre said. She added that she and teacher Jennifer Pierpont-Grayson supervise the grade 3 through 5 students on the Student Council.

“This idea came from our Student Council. They wanted to help animals and I told them about Where the Love Is," she said, adding, "they were excited to help.”

The Student Council plans an activity every month that benefits a segment of the community, she said.

“We are amazed at the funds raised by these students and so grateful Grove School chose our shelter to benefit from their generosity,” said Gabe Scirocco, founder of Where the Love Is.

“This school is extremely active in giving back to the community, and we absolutely love it when young people get involved in missions like ours. Every penny of the donations we receive goes toward giving these beautiful creatures a second chance at love. What better Valentine’s Day message could there be?”