Senior project has bands rocking out for animals

Whitney Kizer feels so passionately about the cause of the Columbia County Humane Society that she has organized a battle of the bands benefit concert for the group.

"I knew I wanted to do something with animals because that's what I want to do in life," said Whitney, an 18-year-old senior at Greenbrier High School. The concert is her senior project.

Whitney has lined up six area high school bands - A Rough Sketch, Oakten, Washington Road, The Mood, Stiletto Fight and Karana Mudra - to star in the Feb. 24 "Paws 4 A Cause" concert. Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show cost $5 and can be purchased at the door or at yet-to-be set sale dates at area schools. The event will be held at the Greenbrier High School gym, and all proceeds will go to the humane society.

"We've always had animals," said Whitney, the daughter of Craig and Sandy Kizer, of Appling.

Whitney, who volunteers with the humane society at their Saturday pet adoptions, wants to make a career of helping furry friends.

"We had a black lab that was diagnosed with hip dysplasia when he was 8 weeks old and he lived to be 13," Whitney said. "I've always said that our vet had the power to make a difference. I said to my mom, 'I know what I'm cut out to do and what I'm not cut out to do, and I'm cut out to work with animals.'"

Working to organize the benefit concert has taught Whitney much more than she imagined. Aside from securing sponsorship for the event, she has helped design a T-shirt that will be sold at the concert to raise extra funding, arranged for event security, secured custodial help for cleanup after the concert and has gone through song lyrics to be sure they are appropriate for her audience.

Whitney is a member of her school's National Honor Society, beta club, volleyball club and volleyball team.

Individuals wishing to make a donation can give directly to the Columbia County Humane Society, 119 Davis Road, Martinez, GA 30907. Please mark checks "Paws 4 A Cause."