Sydney Colpitts enjoys writing poetry.
One afternoon at her grandmother’s home, Colpitts picked up a purple crayon and started writing.
Inspired by her grandma’s two dogs – a shih tzu bichon named Max and a bichon shih tzu called Lilly, the nine-year-old Albion elementary student wrote a poem and dedicated it to all dogs in need at the SPCA.
She called it A Dog or a Puppy and decided to type it out and sell each copy for $1 in support of the society.
Colpitts raised $112.12.
“I’m thinking next year I’ll try doing a bake sale or a lemonade stand,” said Colpitts motivated by how much money she’s already raised.
Jennifer York, manager of the Maple Ridge SPCA, was grateful for the needed cash.
“What Sydney has done is very generous. She is a true ambassador for animals,” said York, who is impressed with many of the Maple Ridge youth she’s met over the summer at the society’s camps.
“It’s really heart-warming that these will be the ones taking care of animals in the future,” said York.
Colpitts will be joining York for Paws for a Cause at the Albion Fairgrounds on Sunday.
The Maple Ridge SPCA is hoping to raise $10,000 at this year’s event.
The goal across the province is $1 million.
Last year, the B.C. SPCA rescued 28,973 animals, reunited 4,477 with their families and found new homes for 16,363 of them.
Registration for the fundraiser is at 11 a.m. and the walk takes place at 1 p.m.
Event day activities will include agility and nose work demonstrations, a dog bowl licking contest, and ask a vet booth, pet photography, face painting, live music and a visit by Dilly the Clown and Mrs. C with the Click and Clown Company.
• To donate or for more information go to http://spca.bc.ca/.