LOS LUNAS — Members of the Los Lunas High School community were asked to “lend a paw” to help the Valencia County Animal Shelter, and they came through in impressive fashion. The week-long event culminated Friday at a Tigers’ boys basketball game with donations surpassing expectations.
Mike Powers| News-Bulletin photo
Iris Hoehne, left, and Aylin Molina, right, came up with the idea for a class project to hold a donation drive at Los Lunas High School for the Valencia County Animal Shelter.
“All week long, we’ve had donations sent to my classroom,” said Jessica Baldonado, who teaches a service-learning class and is advisor for the Lending a Paw club at LLHS. “Teachers, students, people in the community” dropped off a wide range of items, including food, blankets, beds, brushes and leashes.
The idea came from Iris Hoehne and Aylin Molina, both freshman at LLHS, who were brainstorming options for their service-learning class capstone project.
“We just wanted to help animals,” Molina said. “They don’t have enough food, water, blankets and stuff.”
The two worked with VCAS to come up with a plan.
“I didn’t expect to get so many donations,” Hoehne said, “but so many people love animals, and they like to help.”
Baldonado said a project like this has many benefits.
“All our students are realizing that by giving, they gain even more,” Baldonado said. “It’s been quite an experience and that’s what our club and class are all about.”
A follow-up event is scheduled for next week, concluding with the LLHS girls’ basketball game on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Tigers’ gymnasium.
Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.
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April 25, 2024
