Ready-to-adopt dogs and cats are more comfortable and better fed from the generosity of students and teachers at Mill Creek Elementary School.

Fourth-grade classes decided “to help our furry friends at Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF)” instead of Angel Tree donations, coordinator and teacher Kylie Henriksen said.

“One teacher looked into some organizations and came across MARF. We thought this would be a great idea, keeping our supplies locally so students could give back to the community,” Henriksen said.

Mill Creek students and teachers gathered supplies before winter break to help the MARF animals in need. “Students love giving, especially at Christmas time, and it’s a great way to demonstrate kindness and giving,” she said.

Outside each classroom, teachers placed a box with a dog’s image. Students deposited their items, then signed dog-shaped labels and posted these on the hallway wall. “The students had a fun time seeing all of the supplies brought in and all of the bones on the wall,” Henriksen said.

Students and teachers gave bags and cans of dog and cat food, dog treats, toys like squeaky balls, rope toys, stuffed animals, bowls, leashes, collars and “even some doggy sweaters,” Henriksen said.

Other fourth-grade teachers collecting supplies were Kim Pratt, Tammy Thorpe, Paige Wilson and Debra Weaver. “Our fourth-grade team works so closely together. All of us teachers have our ‘projects’ we head up throughout the school year. This is the one I do,” Henriksen said.

Kim Pratt and Sam Pratt dropped off the supplies to MARF volunteers. They immediately put one of the donated sweaters on a dog for adoption.

“The MARF volunteers were very overwhelmed with the amount of supplies we brought,” Henriksen said. “They were extremely excited, and I’m excited we get to share more about this great organization in the community.”

Mill Creek student Sara Dixon currently fosters cats for MARF.

MARF shows dogs and cats for adoption on Saturdays at Petco in the Shoppes of Madison on U.S. 72. For more information about MARF, visit madisonarf.org.