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The shelter’s items drive is done with the help of YSU’s Emerging Leaders Program.
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Caitlyn Hicks, graduate assistant with Youngstown State University’s Emerging Leaders Program, and Jason Cooke, vice president of Animal Charities Humane Society, are accepting donations for the third annual My Fluffy Valentine on the second floor of YSU’s Kilcawley Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily through Friday .
YOUNGSTOWN
A bag of dog food, a catnip-laced squeaky toy mouse, a spray can of disinfectant or a pile of old newspapers don’t sound like much of a special Valentine’s Day gift.
But it’s the cat’s meow for the Animal Charity Humane Society of Mahoning County and its third annual My Fluffy Valentine items drive this week at Youngstown State University.
The project, conducted by Animal Charity in conjunction with YSU’s Emerging Leaders Program, is collecting money and a list of needed supplies for the shelter, which can house a maximum of 32 dogs and 20 cats at any one time, said Jason Cooke, Animal Charity vice president.
Individuals and organizations can drop off money and dog- and cat-related items at a table set up on the second floor of Kilcawley Center through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Cooke, a Boardman resident who is a graduate student at the university studying mathematics with a computer-science focus.
The table also displays pictures of the dogs and cats available for adoption or needing foster homes, and piggy banks for donations, and lanyards, bracelets and Animal Charity T-shirts for sale, he said.
People can drop off money or items at Animal Charities’ facility at 4140 Market St. in Boardman, Cooke said. Call 330-788-1064 for information.
Also, Cooke said, volunteers are desperately needed to help with a number of tasks at the shelter, such as walking dogs, cleaning cages and helping with events, even if they can only donate an hour periodically. “Every little bit helps,” he said.
The Emerging Leader program, which teaches basic leadership skills, is particularly valuable for younger college students in networking and socializing and becoming acquainted with older students, said Caitlyn Hicks, graduate assistant coordinator of the program.
“The Emerging Leaders membership picked animals as a top charity. My Fluffy Valentine is one of our favorite monthly volunteer activities,” said Hicks of Butler Village, Ohio, who has a bachelor of science degree in psychology and is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental-health counseling.
Jaimie DeMaiolo, an Emerging Leaders member for three years and a My Fluffy Valentine volunteer, said the group lets her socialize and help people.
“I love animals,” said DeMaiolo of Austintown, who has an 8-year-old poodle, Mickie. “My Fluffy Valentine is one of my favorite events,” she said.
Animal Charity, which has 17 part- and full-time employees and 10 to 15 steady volunteers, adopted out 170 dogs and cats and placed 66 animals into foster care in 2012, said Talia Musolino, executive director.