Ornaments For Candy's Cats

By Emily Lampa, Building Community

Some youngsters in Pine Hills learn a valuable lesson in building community this holiday season.

Kindergartners at Kingsway Christian Academy made Christmas tree ornaments to raise money for a local charity, Candy's Cats, a pet rescue in Orlando.

Park Avenue Animal Hospital in Apopka came up with the idea, and used their creations on a tree at their clinic.

For a donation, people can take home a one-of-a-kind ornament and help save a four-legged feline.

"Some are older, some are strays, some have been relinquished because of the economic situation within the community and you know, they have not been spayed or neutered,” said Sharon Merrick from the Park Avenue Animal Hospital. “They need their vaccinations, and our veterinarians at Park Avenue Animal Hospital provide those services for Candy's Cats, so that these animals can become adoptable."

"We have a lot of needs in our community and we all need to step up and take. We can't do a lot, but we can all do something, and that's what I try to emphasize to them. We can all do something," said Judith Fryer, a teacher at Kingsway Christian Academy.

So far, the kindergartners have helped raise about $100.

If you would like to help by purchasing one of these ornaments, call the hospital at (407) 880-9446. The hospital is located at 847 N. Park Ave. in Apopka.