New Student Group on Campus!

There is a new student group on campus called S.A.V.E. which stands for Students' Animal Volunteer Efforts and is being organized by Kimberly Capriola, a senior at MCLA. They have had one meeting so far and the next is this Friday at 6:00 p.m. in room 324A of the Campus Center. The club's main focus, as the title states, is sending students out to volunteer at animal shelters and hospitals. The Berkshire Humane Society's volunteer coordinator has produced a list of free slots for people to volunteer and if you are interested, e-mail Terry Bissaillon at tbissaillon@berkshirehumane.org or call her at 413-447-7878, extension 37. However, in order to volunteer as a dog walker or in general, interested students must take a short certification class.

Here is the list:

Dog Walking/ Care:
8-10 a.m. ---1 person on Mondays, 1 on Fridays, 1 on Saturdays
10 a.m.-12 p.m. ---1 person on Mondays
12-1 p.m. --- 1 person Tuesdays, 1 person Wednesdays
3-5 p.m. ---1 person Fridays

Feline Care:
(Cat Mall)
8-9:30 a.m. --- 1 person Saturdays
(Back cat room)
8-9:30 a.m. --- 1 person Sundays
2:30-4 p.m. --- 1 person Saturdays, 1 person Sundays

Front Desk:
(Note: may be slow now & then, need to be a self-starter)
1-4 p.m. --- 2 people Saturdays, 2 people Sundays
anytime within 10 a.m.-2 p.m. --- 1(?) person Tuesdays
10 a.m.-12 p.m. --- 1 (?) person Wednesdays
anytime within 12-4 p.m. --- 1 (?) person Wednesdays

The group may also volunteer at the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter in Pittsfield. At the first meeting, students brainstormed ideas to help animals out and get the public aware of animal cruelty. Also, at the next meeting, students will be able to show interest in e-board positions. Here are other ideas the club has:

-Animal food drives.
-A 5K run to fund-raise for a local animal shelter (each runner would be sponsored by his/her family and friends with whatever donation amount).
-Publicizing animals in need of adoption.
-Publicizing local animal shelter events.
-Petitioning for humane treatment of animals while both learning and spreading awareness about animal cruelty.

If you are interested in the club, attend the next meeting or e-mail Kimberly Capriola and share your ideas.

Note: The club is not official but involved students are working on the logistics and constitution as we speak.