Six-year-old Franklin Square resident hosted a drive for homeless animals.

"I was just kind of blown away that a six-year-old could think so maturely about the animals…"”

Marge Kelly, president of the Community League of Garden City South

Out of love and care for animals, Franklin Square resident Katie McCombs decided to host a donation drive, Katie’s Pawfect Dream, for animals at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 11, from noon to 2 p.m. at the VFW, 68 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square.  

 Six-year-old Katie, a first-grade student at Polk Street School, a member of a Girl Scout troop, a horseback rider and a sideline cheerleader, was inspired by concerns for animals in shelters. After seeing shelter animals on television, she wanted to help. She contacted Marge Kelly, president of the Community League of Garden City South, and her mother, Anna McCombs, a Franklin Square resident and vice president of the Franklin Square Union Free School District, to help organize the event.  

Anna said the collection uses donated items instead of money to keep the process manageable for Katie. “We decided we could probably organize a donation drive,” Anna said. “We would have to provide some safeguards. So I wanted her just to collect items that the shelter could use.”  

Anna said community members have responded positively through Facebook pages, a community collection box, and a doctor's office about the donation drive. 

 “I was just kind of blown away that a six-year-old could think so maturely about the animals and, you know, shelter animals and what they endure and not having homes, and she just touched my heart,” Kelly said. 

  When Kelly mentioned the need for toys, blankets, and other items at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, both Anna and Katie decided to donate everything to the town’s animal shelter. Moreover, Katie told the Herald about her interest in organizing more donation drives in the future, particularly for bunnies or horses. 

 After the donation drive, Anna said via text that Katie is taking her Pawfect Dream to the next level by helping encourage shelter pet adoption. For more information on adoption, visit https://hempsteadny.gov/179/Animal-Shelter or call 516-785-5220.