On July 19 I had the wonderful opportunity of raising over $150 through means of a bake sale, which was conducted near the Kirkland Uncorked Festival premises. All of the proceeds will be going to the Seattle Humane Society. Why donate to the Humane Society, you ask? Aside from my immense love for animals and long-held aspiration to one day become a veterinarian, I was initially inspired to raise money for the Humane Society after taking a visit to the local animal shelter with my mother one day. I vividly recall walking by the numerous rows and cages full of cats and dogs in need of “forever homes.” Tears welled up in my eyes; that moment had sufficed as a personal wakeup call, and I felt as though the fate of the animals lay in my hands. After comprehensively researching the various ways of raising money to help benefit this cause, I opted for a bake sale. Throughout the duration of roughly a week, I had made several different types of dog biscuits in addition to a large assortment of baked goods. The day of the bake sale had finally arrived, and, after hours of enduring unanticipated heat and fatigue, it had largely turned out to be a success. Of course, with any sort of voluntary activity, one must be fully prepared to encounter such unexpected occurrences. What was not at all expected, however, was the vast variation of contributors encountered throughout the day; some had donated several spare dollars while others merely smiled and walked away. Nevertheless, we as humans, must take small steps to help make a difference, whether it be raising community awareness, conducting a fundraiser, or exemplifying kindness and respect for all animals. Together, we can truly create a better world for animals in need.

Mana Maloney, Redmond High School Junior