Chipping in for a paws; Winfield Scott Elementary students forego gift exchange to contribute to local no-kill animal shelter

Ann Gillmore-Hoffman, of Lee's Paws and Claws, reacts to the numerous gifts kindergartners at Winfield Scott Elementary donated to the no-kill shelter on Wednesday.(Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

When kindergartners at Winfield Scott Elementary School decided to forego their annual gift exchange this year, they made Ann Gillmore-Hoffman, director of Lee's Paws and Claws, a local no-kill animal shelter, very happy.

Youngsters decided instead of giving and receiving gifts among themselves that each child would bring a food toy, treat or other supplies to benefit the 22 dogs and nine cats currently residing at the shelter, located south of Fort Scott.

In expressing her appreciation to the children gathered in the cafeteria for the presentation, Gillmore-Hoffman said, "Just because you are small doesn't mean you can't do big things. And you have proven that today."

Gillmore-Hoffman, right, speaks to kindergartners at the school after the children donated numerous items to the shelter on Wednesday. Pictured at the left is Paws and Claws volunteer Pam Moyer.(Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

Gillmore-Hoffman brought three friends with her to visit students to thank them in person for their unselfish act of kindness. Accompanying her were volunteer Pam Moyer and Buffy, a 4-month-old mixed breed puppy, and Oreo, a 3-month-old black-and-white kitten.

She explained what the shelter does and why the kids' donation was so important. Gillmore-Hoffman told them about Buffy, who was found wandering along U.S. Highway 69 with two other puppies and how they were brought to the shelter until they could find "forever" homes and how she took Buffy in as her "forever" pet.

She also explained that each time a pet is adopted from the shelter, it makes room for a home for another dog or cat in the shelter, where they are safe.

Kindergarten students gather on Wednesday morning in the cafeteria at Winfield Scott Elementary near the items they donated to Lee's Paws and Claws Shelter.(Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

She also told the story of Oreo, who was brought to the shelter from Fort Scott Community College by members of a sports team there.

After the presentation, which included all four of Winfield Scott kindergarten classes, Gillmore-Hoffman said she was presented with a sandwich baggie full of money the children had decided to contribute in addition to the items they had collected.

"There was a lot of $1 bills and change. But what really touched me was that inside that baggie was a smaller baggie tied up with two nickels and 10 pennies. I might just have to keep that as a reminder of how every little thing helps," an emotional Gillmore-Hoffman said. "It was so sweet."

Gillmore-Hoffman said there was about $47 in the baggie.