The city’s cast-off pets have an Emporia teenager to thank for the bounty delivered Sunday to the Emporia Animal Shelter.
Alex Allen, daughter of Mike and Patsy Allen, requested some unusual gifts on invitations to a swim party to celebrate her 16th birthday anniversary. Alex will be 16 on Aug. 15, and held her party early because the Emporia Aquatic Center will close on Aug. 10.
She asked that, in lieu of personal gifts, her friends instead bring gifts to help stock the animal shelter.
Alex, who will be a junior at Emporia High School, wanted to help at the shelter this summer, but at 15, she was too young to be allowed to work with the animals.
“I was kind of upset that I couldn’t help out,” Alex said. “I thought this would be a cool idea because nobody thinks about the animal shelter. Everybody thinks about the women’s house and men’s house to help out, but nobody ever thinks about the animals.”
Alex invited 70 people to the party, and asked that each bring a guest.
Judy Dieker, executive director of the Humane Society of the Flint Hills, attended the celebration to accept the donations.
“Oh my goodness, did she get a ton of stuff for the shelter,” Dieker said this morning. All sorts of dog food, dog treats, chewy treats, cat food, cat litter, toys for dogs and cats. ...
“I have a van; the back was full and the second seat was nearly covered with things. It was a lot.”
Decorations for the party kept with the animal theme.
“It was so clever,” Dieker said. “The containers that had the drinks in them, they had decorated like fire hydrants. All of the treats were served in dog dishes. A lot of thought, a lot of energy went into getting the birthday party together.”
Dieker said that animal shelter workers were delighted by the unsolicited gifts, and as pleased as Dieker that the teen had dedicated her party to the animals.
“How many 16-year-olds are that unselfish?” Dieker asked. “You just don’t run into that every day. It’s apparent that the entire family is animal-lovers. It was just really neat.”
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
this was a neat idea
August 4, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gazette_reader (anonymous) says...
What a great idea! Happy birthday, Alex. You must be a pretty special person!
August 4, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Emporiafan (anonymous) says...
Good for you Alex, goes to show that "kids these days" aren't all that bad which you are more likely to hear. You must be a truly special person!!! Bless you!
August 4, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Fabulous idea....I hope it catches on and continues!!!
August 4, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lightenup (anonymous) says...
What a wonderful girl - one who looks beyond herself. Perhaps you'll be a trend-setter for the entire community. Happy Birthday, Alex.
August 4, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DeniseDorcey (anonymous) says...
What an excellent example you are to this community, Alex.
Service to others, including our furry friends, is such an essential element inorder for a community to grow and thrive.
I am going to make certain my twelve and fourteen year old children read about you! You are an inspiration to us all!
August 4, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YaHooSis48 (anonymous) says...
Alex, you have truely blessed my heart! I do sincerly hope that this idea catches on in Emporia. Like I've said before; the mark of a society is how it cares for it's animals! I'd love to meet you. You must be your mom & dad's pride and joy. Happy Birthday and thank you for thinking of our animals in need.
August 4, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker (anonymous) says...
Alex: What a wonderful gesture. Many years ago, my Father explained to me about how we get a rare glimpse into a man's soul by the way he treats animals. In my many years on earth, I have observed that to be absolutely true. You have a beautiful soul. On behalf of the animals, thank you. Hearts like yours enriches the rest of us.
August 4, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
destiny (anonymous) says...
Great idea ALEX and Happy Birthday! I'm glad to know that people like you want to take care of those animals without homes.
August 4, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DJrocksthemic (anonymous) says...
Wow, I've got to admit, I'd been losing faith in the younger generation following the Zoo incident, but reading this makes me think maybe their is hope. I wish MTV had come to film it, and sent those brats who spend millions on their sweet sixteen packing with your unselfish gesture.
August 5, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sadinemporia (anonymous) says...
Finally...a good-hearted kid makes gazette headlines! Good job Alex!
August 5, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
What a generous and wonderful girl you are, Alex. Happy Birthday to you! May this event be the start of something new in Emporia and we have you to thank for it all. I am truly impressed with your altruism.
August 5, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YaHooSis48 (anonymous) says...
Talk about a blessing! It would really be a blessing for Lyon Co if the "Humane Society" would spend some of it's money and help support the Animal Shelter so that after they give the dogs and cats a treat and a toy they would not then march them directly to the gas chamber and unhumanely put them down. It appears that according to public records the "Humane Society" is perhaps a little less than humane as they really don't do any hands on animal work or spend hardly any of their collected funds on saving animals. What's up with that? Do they go in each day and just sit there and count that worthless stuff? Hey! Let's do something really great. Let's quit killing 60 - 70% of all the animals at the Emporia Animal Shelter. Why don't all of these so called organizations get together and make Emporia proud of what they're doing for animals instead of the endless parade of killing that must be done. And how the heck did the Humane Society get in that Gazette picture? What do they do for the Animal Shelter? They could being doing so much instead of so little!
August 5, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lyonking (anonymous) says...
I'm confused. The photo caption says the gifts are for the animals at the Humane Society. Does Ms. Dieker work at the shelter or the Humane Society? Does the local Humane Society run the animal shelter? Are they the same thing? Which is which? Where are the animals if I want to visit the Humane Society?
August 6, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YaHooSis48 (anonymous) says...
Ms Dieker is the Executive Director of the Humane Society of the Flint HIlls. To my knowledge she has nothing to do with the Emporia Animal Shelter. I guess her appearance to accept the donations was a "photo op" as the Humane Society does not do any live animal rescue or any hands on animal work, so lyonking, you will be hard pressed to visit any animals with the Humane Society of the Flint Hills.You can visit the Emporia Animal Shelter to see pets available, but be quick, they don't keep them long. I understand the Buck Fund does a tremendous amount of dog & cat rescue. You can call them & often view dogs as well as let them know what kind of pet you are looking for. They can also put you in touch with breed specific rescues. These pets are fully vaccinated,neutered,& tested for any negative animal traits/behaviors!
August 6, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )