By Tim Kelly
With the holiday season comes the spirit of giving. In this regard, Ocean City’s generosity over the years is the stuff of legend.
There is no shortage of worthy charities benefiting from the donations, nor a dearth of people who could use help. But consider for a moment, it’s not just people who are in need. Some of our animal friends could really use a boost as well.
The boys of the “Tiger” Den of Ocean City Cub Scout Pack 51 thought this through recently, with remarkable results, to benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City.
“We discussed ways in which we could help to make a volunteer effort to help Ocean City, and the boys were really interested in helping the Humane Society,” said Shannon McAllister, a Den Mom.
The boys solicited donations from friends and family and collected a large supply of items the Humane Society relies on every day to operate.
“The boys wanted to do all they could to help the shelter continue their work to help the animals,” McAllister said.
The Ocean City Humane Society is located at 1 Shelter Road, off Tennessee Avenue, near the soccer fields. At their one-stop facility, the staffers there provide a full veterinary clinic offering much lower prices than private animal hospitals, a no-kill shelter, animal control services and much more. The Humane Society is another one of the special resources that makes Ocean City so unique.
George Muller, kennel manager and assistant manager of the shelter, said the people who work and volunteer at the facility are grateful for the donations, and even more grateful for the good thoughts leading to the gifts.
“It’s always great when someone thinks about donating and helping us out,” he said. “When the kids are thinking this way they can inspire the adults. Sometimes we become so involved in our adult issues we can’t think about the more basic, but equally important things. The kids are really good about that.”
In addition to the Cub Scouts, Muller praised a little girl who came to the shelter with her family recently to celebrate the girl’s birthday.
“She said that for one of her presents, she wanted the money the person would have spent on her gift to instead buy supplies we need. That was another great example of kids leading the adults.”
As for the boys of “Tiger” Den, a visit to the facility was arranged to drop off the items and to receive a VIP behind-the-scenes tour.
“We all received a better idea of what the Humane Society does and what their mission is about,” McAllister said. “The boys better understand there are things we can do to help.”
About six members of the Den and some siblings took part in the tour” she said. Among those taking part were Shannon’s son Brayden, and Anderson Wisnefski, the son of another Den Mom, Allison Wisnefski.
Also among those on hand were Den members Alister Costello, Peyton Rosenthal, Connor Straub and Paxton Brunetti. The tour was led by Humane Society volunteers Patty Young and Wilma Dubil.
One of the favorite stops in the tour was a visit to the Humane Society shelter’s “cat room,” home to scores of resident felines.
“It was a really nice visit and the boys got a lot out of it,” McAllister said. “I think they learned about compassion and how to be compassionate.”
Muller said he hopes more people will consider helping out the Humane Society, not just at this time of year but any time, and that they will visit the facility to see the effects of their generosity.
“It’s not just mailing a check, it’s feeling the gratitude of a purring cat … or hearing the dogs bark at you,” he said with a laugh.
To volunteer, donate or learn more about the Humane Society and its services please visit its website at www.hsocnj.org.
