Teen Doubles Donations To Animal Shelter As Patch Readers Help

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Crownsville teen Alex Seidleck was shocked when he read on Patch that a donation box from an Annapolis liquor store full of cash for homeless animals housed at the local shelter had been stolen in August. The 16-year-old Indian Creek Upper School student couldn't believe someone would take money away from needy pets housed at the Anne Arundel County Animal Control and Shelter. So he decided to do something about it.

Thanks to the power of Patch and its readers, Seidleck's efforts to replace the missing money through a GoFundMe campaign have far surpassed his goal and left the teen and his family stunned. Seidleck originally set out to raise $500 for the animals at the county shelter to replace what had been stolen, but after an article about his mission appeared on Patch, his fundraising soared.

As of Tuesday, Seidleck had raised $1,890, and his mom credits Patch and its generous, compassionate readers.

"A bunch of people donated after reading your article in Patch, and one man’s company matched his donations that were up to $945 at that point!!!! He is going to be so thrilled," Michelle Seidleck said. "Your article inspired people to reach out and help the animals. Thank you again so very much for the amazing article and for helping Alex SUPER EXCEED his goal!!!!!!"

Seidleck first told Patch it bothered him that someone could be "so cruel and selfish that they would steal from animals who have no home, no family and basically nothing at all." When he discussed the situation with his mom, she asked him what he thought he could.

"I told her I wished I had the money so I could pay it back myself and that was what gave me the idea of trying to start a fundraiser. I have never done anything like this before, so I did not know if it would work," he told Patch.

Seidleck first approached local businesses about his idea, but because he wasn't representing a business or a sports team, he was told he couldn't set up donation boxes. Undeterred, the teenager created a GoFundMe page where he pleaded with people to consider helping out the animals.

"If you are as outraged as I am to hear that someone in our community would stoop so low to steal from an organization that takes care of thousands of homeless animals and whose source of income is based primarily from donations from the GOOD PEOPLE in this world, please make whatever donation you can to help me right this wrong," he wrote on the GoFundMe site.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

See More:

Teen Takes Initiative To Replace Animal Shelter's Stolen Money

Donation Box Of Cash For County's Homeless Animals Stolen