Randi & Ryan were ecstatic to learn that their parents were taking them on a trip to Best Friends, but there was one caveat.

The kids were challenged to come up with a way to raise money for the animals they would be visiting. No problem! Dedicated to helping animals, they put their thinking caps on and decided that recycling would be a great way to meet their goal. They spent much of their summer vacation collecting plastic bottles & aluminum cans from their neighbors and family. At the redemption center, the cash value of the recyclables totaled $80.00. They arrived at Best Friends’ Welcome Center with cash in hand and graciously donated the funds to the Sanctuary. To their delight, their father Larry was so proud that he matched the amount as well!

Randi & Ryan were so excited to be here and had a fun-filled visit volunteering. Each had their own favorite activities at the Sanctuary: Randi enjoyed riding in the back of the feed truck and feeding the horses, while Ryan loved socializing with the cats at Morgaine’s Place. The whole family especially enjoyed meeting Bob the cat from Benton’s House and taking him for a leisurely walk on his cat harness and leash.

When Randi and Ryan are not busy fundraising around their neighborhood, they love to play with all animals; at home they have 2 rabbits, 2 parakeets, 1 horse and 1 dog. Randi also spent one week this summer at “SPCALA Shelter Camp” and one week at horse camp.

A special thank you goes out from the animals to Ryan & Randi and their parents, Kim & Larry! We can’t wait to see what they come up with next year!

Written by Laura Rethoret & Diane Grenda
Photo by Laura Rethoret

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