Hudson Maxim Students Raise Money for Hopatcong's Pound

In the end, there was an envelope of cash.

But for Nancy Barnard it started as a question: "How can we raise money for the pound?" she said.

The special education teacher decided on a simple plan: Bring in pictures of staff members' pets and have Hudson Maxim students vote for the cutest. Each child had one vote. And if they wanted to submit another, they had to pay $1.

Barnard began the fundraiser Monday. She said she had recently took a trip to the pound and realized she wanted to help.

"We want the kids to understand the importance of the pound to the community," Barnard said.

To help hammer the point, Barnard enlisted Hopatcong Animal Control Officer Dale Sloat to speak with kindergarteners on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday, he explained his job, wild animal saftey and answered students' questions.

Click here to see Sloat talk about his scariest moment.

Sloat said he enjoys speaking to schools and borough youth organizations.

"The kids are the ones that listen to you," he said. "They're the ones that are going to impart to their parents when something happens and the parents are sitting there panicking, the kid is going to say, 'Why don't you call?' They remember.'"

Barnard said the fundraiser ended Friday. She said she hoped to raise $100 to $200.

"I don't even know," she said. "I have a whole envelope filled with cash."