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Ms. Burton’s first graders and Ms. Bodiford’s second graders loading up the donated items to send to the shelter.
Ms. Burton with her rescue dog Roxie.
JDA teachers Beverly Burton, Beth Bodiford and BCAS employee Erica Ellis with all of the donations.
The Jefferson Davis Academy (JDA) Lower School students donated $1,849.34 and a surplus of food to the Barnwell County Animal Shelter (BCAS) after they held the Pennies for Pets fundraiser throughout the month of February.
According to first grade teacher Beverly Burton, the Little Raiders were very serious about helping out the animals in the shelter – bringing in Ziplock bags full of coins from their piggy banks.
“They even brought in birthday and Christmas money,” said Burton of the 3K through sixth grade students.
The kids were inspired to help BCAS after connecting with one of its former residents, Burton’s four-legged child, Roxie, a pit-mix. Burton adopted Roxie from the shelter in December 2023 and her students were very invested in their teacher’s new addition.
Burton would update her inquiring students about Roxie’s veterinarian appointments, transition from the shelter, and a bit about where she came from. When she told her students the shelter always was in need of animal food and supplies, they immediately wanted to help.
“We are very grateful to JDA and Ms. Beverly Burton's Class. We could see that each one of them genuinely cared about our animals and their stories. They were so proud to be able to do so much for them. BCAS is touched by their outpouring of love for Barnwell County's abandoned animals,” said shelter director Marlena Ray.
