In the branch of National Honor Society at my school, many different committees exist. I am part of the Animal Advocacy Committee, and it is the first committee of its kind at my school. In all the years National Honor Society has decided to form committees at my school, we have never had one solely devoted to the welfare of animals. At the present time, my committee members and I are hard at work organizing a supply drive and fundraiser for our local animal shelter. We have placed posters about it all around the school and made a video that was played during homerooms to advertise it. We have also secured gift cards from local businesses as prizes for those who donate the most and asked local pet stores if they could match monetary contributions or donate supplies as well. This event is due to start in January when we come back from school, and we hope to acquire many donations to give to the local animal shelters.

 

           

 

            In addition, we are also planning an animal-themed party for children from elementary schools in our districts, the proceeds of which will go to the animal shelter as well. As part of the event, we also hope to help children learn about the proper treatment of animals and have more of an appreciation for wildlife. If these ideas are instilled in children at a young age, they will hopefully carry these ideals into their later lives and make the world a better place for it.

 

 

 

            Working in this committee has influenced me to be not only an environmental activist, but an animal activist as well. While researching data we needed for the video and talking to shelter, we found out that the need for supplies and money is even more dire than we had thought. Reading about how many animals will go without homes this season made my commitment to animal rights even more fervent, and I am planning to help their plight as much as I can throughout my life. I feel that it would be a crime to sit around and do nothing about something that desperately needs to be fixed. Helping suffering humans is a good cause, but animals cannot speak for themselves and cannot help themselves at all. Therefore, they need humans to stand up for them and prevent them from being treated cruelly.