Pets Breathe Easier with this Whiz Kid

While the idea may have been their teacher's, the effort was all theirs.

A fourth grade teacher at Columbus School, Krisitin Rabbit, came up the idea to raise money to buy a set of animal oxygen masks as a citizenship project. The masks would be donated to the Fire Department, and would be used to aide dogs or cats overcome by smoke inhalation.

Ruby Green, one of the fourth graders, said, "We raised money for the masks by collecting empty recyclable cans and returning them to recycling plants. The fourth graders brought in cans and bottles from home or family and friends. We asked the principal Mrs. Yeager to put out buckets during school events to colllect even more."

The students raised $145 during the campaign. For Ruby, it was an effort that combined two causes that are important to her: animals and the earth.

"I feel this is an important project because it shows children that they can recycle and help animal around them. I love helping animial and plants because some people don't care about them and they litter and don't care about the earth and so I feel that I need to help more."

This is not Ruby's only charitable cause. "I like to donate clothing items and toys and food to people who are less fortunate who don't have the money to buy them. For example, I regularly donated to the Columbus School Food Project where we raised over two tons of canned and box goods to be donated to the Medford Food Pantry."

Right now, only Engine 5 will have the specialized masks, but not if Columbus School fourth graders have any say. Ms. Rabbit plans on another collection drive next school year.

The fundraiser culminated in a June 24 presentation to firefighters from Engine 5. Ruby gave Lt. Brian Cronin the masks in front of 75 students in the school gym.

"I was proud of our grade for working really hard all year to raise money to by that dog mask," reports Ruby.