PR youth give warmth, love to shelter pets
Mary Malone Contributing Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
(Courtesy photo) Priest River youngsters , and Chayse Simpkins, 7, left, and Casey Simpkins, 5, second from left, were excited to do some shopping after they raised $125 so they could donate blankets and other items to two local shelters.
(Courtesy photo) Priest River youngsters Casey Simpkins, 5, left, and Chayse Simpkins, 7, second from right, raised $125 plus donations to donate blankets and other items to two local shelters. They are pictured dropping off the 26 blankets, five dog stockings and some extra toys and treats at Priest River Animal Rescue recently, with some help from their cousins Averie and Em Hart.
(Courtesy photo) Priest River youngsters , and Chayse Simpkins, 7, left, and Casey Simpkins, 5, second from left, raised $125 plus donations to donate blankets and other items to two local shelters. They are pictured dropping off 20 blankets and five dog stockings to the Panhandle Animal Shelter recently.
PRIEST RIVER — As the weather grew colder, two Priest River youngsters set out on a mission to make sure all the local shelter animals would be warm this winter.
It didn’t take long for brothers Chayse and Casey Simpkins, who are 7 and 5 years old respectively, to raise enough money and donations for 46 blankets and 10 dog stockings for two shelters. With the $125 raised, the boys were able to give Priest River Animal Rescue 26 blankets, five dog stockings and some extra toys and treats. Panhandle Animal Shelter in Ponderay received 20 blankets and five stockings as well.
Tiffiny Simpkins said it all started when she saw a post on social media challenging people to buy a couple of Walmart’s $2.50 fleece blankets and donate them to an animal shelter. When she asked her boys if that is something they would want to do, they said they wanted to “save all the puppies and kitties,” Simpkins said.
“The boys were extremely excited that they could help make the puppies and kitties have a better warmer Christmas,” she said. “And they enjoyed being able to pick the animals out some toys so they could have something to do while they are waiting for a family to come take them home.”
Simpkins said Chayse and Casey both said it makes them feel “awesome” and “good” when she asked them how it felt to give the blankets to the puppies. They would also like to thank the “wonderful” community for donating money and/or blankets to help make this possible.
Despite their youth, this is not the boys’ first philanthropy effort. Chayse also gets involved with the Priest River Panthers’ annual Polar Plunge, and last year raised more than $200 for the Special Olympics team. While the boys are not old enough to officially volunteer with the team, both Chayse and Casey also help out with practices when they can.
“Anything to help our community — especially the ones who can’t always do it on their own,” Simpkins said.
The next Polar Plunge is set for February, so Chayse is setting his sights on fundraising efforts for the team. His goal this year is $500, Simpkins said. To help Chayse reach his goal, a fundraising page is set up online at bit.ly/358EM8U.
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