Westfield Newsroom

Girls reach out to help animal shelter

By LORI SZEPLAK
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – Best friends Abbie Balser and Rylee Labonte are seen has “heroes” in the eyes of Lori Charette from the Westfield Animal Control and Shelter.
Charette, who serves as animal control operations manager, spoke highly of the girls who attend fourth grade at the Juniper Park Elementary School.
Charette explained that Amy Balser, Abbie’s mother, had called her because the girls were addressing their classmates and teachers about a project to benefit the animal shelter.
“I was so excited to go and see Abbie and Rylee’s show,” said Charette. “The girls did a fantastic job. I couldn’t have been more proud of them.”
The girls had first met with Principal Alison Hamilton to discuss the need to help the animals in the shelter.
“We told our principal that the shelter couldn’t afford a lot of things for the animals,” said Abbie during an interview Thursday afternoon at her family’s home on Alexander Place.
Rylee echoed those sentiments.
“We said some of the animals are skinny and need extra help and medications,” she said.
Hamilton had given the girls the green light for the project, however, they needed to do a presentation to all of the students and the teachers.
“It was scary,” said Rylee, noting that about 300 were in attendance.
During the show they told of the importance of donating to animal shelters.
“They explained that because we don’t get a lot of money, from the city, we rely on the kindness of people donating to the shelter,” said Charette. “They also spoke about how some animals need medical care that couldn’t be provided if we didn’t receive those donations.”
Both girls were encouraged with the reaction they received from the students following their speech.
“The response was pretty quick,” said Abbie, noting that a grocery cart was set up in the school entrance for students and teachers to drop off items. At press time, a host of towels, toys, cat litter, brushes, fabric softener sheets and canned food have been donated to the cause.
“We also have $100 in a cash donations jar,” said Abbie, noting during family birthday parties including her brother’s and her grandfather Robert Balser of Westfield, who recently turned 70, she asked those in attendance if they’d like to donate to the shelter.
“I also asked Patrick Lusteg, my camp director from Camp Shepard,” said Abbie, adding he donated $40.
Both girls love animals and have a special bond with their pets. Abbie is the daughter of Amy and Todd Balser and Rylee is the daughter of Kelly and Nycole Labonte.
“Bomber is 1-year-old and a Dixie Dog,” said Abbie.
Dixie Dogs originate from overcrowded shelters in southern states and are relocated to New England so they can receive a second chance at a new life.
Rylee’s two cats also have special meaning for her family.
“Spooky is 3 and was a rescue and Gizmo is 2 and came from a shelter,” said Rylee.
Today, after school, the girls will be driven to the animal shelter at 178 Apremont Way by their moms so that the cash and donations can be delivered to Charette.
Charette looks forward to greeting the girls with open arms.
“Being a municipal animal shelter means limited funds,” said Charette. “The city cannot budget taxpayers money to pay for the medical needs of animals. That’s just the reality of it.”
Charette noted that animal shelters like Westfield couldn’t begin to help the animals it helps without the generous donations of people like Abbie and Rylee.
“Those two girls are our heroes,” said Charette.
For these two 9-year-olds, the sky is truly the limit when they consider new plans this summer to help the animal shelter.
“We have two more people who will help us this summer,” said Rylee of their upcoming plans.
“We want to make bracelets, sell lemonade, have a bake sale and a car wash,” added Abbie.
For more information on ways to donate to the animal shelter, Abbie and Rylee encourage others to contact Charette at (413) 564-3129 or visit http://cityofwestfield.animalshelternet.com.
“We want to inspire others to also donate to the shelter,” said Abbie.

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