From left to right are Jason Boim, Spenser Herman, the architect of the program, and Adam Hollander who single-handedly obtained all the valuable prizes which made the raffle possible.

Mayor Michael R. Koblenz accepts certificate of appreciation from the North Shore Animal League

Government Apprenticeship Program Interns show the beds which were purchased with the more than $2,000 collected for the charity drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NSAL America Contact:
Danielle Griffin, 516/883-7900, ext. 883                                                                                               

Rosyln High School Interns Raise More Than $2,000 to Buy Beds for Dogs Rescued from Hurricanes in Gulf Coast by North Shore Animal League America

Port Washington, New York – Six student interns from Roslyn High School raised more than $2000 to buy beds for 40 dogs left homeless by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The dogs, rescued from the Gulf Coast by North Shore Animal League America, are at the organization’s headquarters in Port Washington, where they are being cared for while awaiting adoption.  The beds will be presented to the League on Friday, November 4 at 10 a.m. by the students, and the Village of East Hills’ Mayor Michael R. Kolbenz, who oversees the government internship program. 

“These students deserve special recognition for their commitment to helping the League care for the more than 550 animals rescued in the aftermath of the hurricanes,” said John Stevenson, President, North Shore Animal League America.  “Their parents, teachers and friends should be extremely proud of their work and dedication.” 

To raise funds, the students organized a raffle made up of prizes donated by local stores in the Americana Shopping Mall and greater Roslyn-area.  The six interns include Payvand Ahdout, Jason Boim, Lauren Fisher, Spencer Herman, Adam Hollander and Brian Sherwin. Mr. Herman was the architect of the program and Mr. Hollander amassed all the raffle prizes which were essential to the effort.    

The internship program, initiated in 1999, gives students an opportunity to learn first hand the inner workings of local government.  In return for their work, students are given community service hours from Roslyn High School, which are part of the school’s curriculum and a requirement for graduation.  In its first year, the program was recognized by the New York Conference of Mayors with its highest award for “Best Local Government Achievement” in New York State. 

“This project was a valuable lesson for our students,” said Mayor Kolblenz.  “We are extremely proud of our interns who collected the funds even more adroitly than some of the finest winners of ‘The Apprentice.’”

North Shore Animal League America was one of the first animal rescue agencies on the ground in the aftermath of the hurricanes and has been actively placing hundreds of homeless pets rescued from the Gulf Coast in safe and loving homes throughout the country.  Estimates indicate that more than 10,000 pets were rendered homeless in the worst natural disaster in the nation’s history. 

 North Shore Animal League America, located in Port Washington, New York, is the largest no-kill animal shelter in the U.S.  Founded in 1944, the League has found loving homes for nearly one million dogs, cats, kittens and puppies.  More information on the League and its efforts in the Gulf Coast can be found at www.nsalamerica.org.