Pets benefit from children's party favors

Micah Johnstun is just 5 years old, but she knows she wants to help others.

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For her fifth birthday earlier this year, Micah showed compassion for animals by having all guests bring gifts not for her, but for shelter dogs and cats. The response was overwhelming, her mother said.

"I suggested it to Micah," said Jenni Johnstun. "She said she wanted to, but I wanted to make sure she really understood. It just so happened that two days before her invites went out, we saw an animal care and control truck with two dogs. I explained that she wouldn't get gifts, but those dogs would get to eat.

"They looked pitiful, and I said, 'They are going to eat because you are giving up your gifts.' I think that sealed the deal," Johnstun said.

Johnstun said she suggested the idea for many reasons.

"With the economy the way it is these days, the animals in shelters are also suffering," she said. "Plus, she didn't need any more toys."

Micah's donations were given to the Washington-Wilkes Humane Animal Shelter on the advice of a friend who had read that the shelter was in dire need of donations.

"I'm a huge animal lover, and it really made me very happy that Micah did this," her mother said. "I hope we can continue to do this every year."

Seven-year-old Kinnley Coffman was just as generous when she opted to have a similar birthday party this spring. While she doesn't plan any future parties around the idea, she said it made her feel good knowing she helped out some animals in need.

"She will tell you that her dog Peanut is her favorite family member," said her mother, Beretta Coffman.

Kinnley's idea to have guests bring donations for a local animal group came about after she attended a Diego-themed party were guests were invited as animal rescuers and brought pet supplies.

CSRA Happy Tails Rescue was the recipient of Kinnley's generosity, and Susan Parrott, who sits on the group's board of directors, said the shelter was grateful for the donation.

"We take in so many animals from our local shelter, and we are always appreciative of community help," Parrott said. "There were over 100 pounds of dog and cat food, and a huge box of toys and treats. There was even a dog bed and some other pet-related items like shampoo and grooming supplies."

Parrott said some of the food and treats were given to foster and adoptive families.

"We were so pleased to receive Kinnley's donation," Parrott said. "And Kinnley was so proud that she could give us something to help the foster animals in our care."

Kinnley agrees that it was a great idea.

"It felt good, and I felt excited," she said.