Dimes for Dogs: Making the World a Better Place

Jacob, Natalie and Lucas

Last Chance Animal Rescue needs your help. Last Chance Rescue is a non-profit organization committed to saving the lives of animals that otherwise would be destroyed. The website offers multiple ways to help--a great organization, a great cause--or, better yet, you can donate through Dimes for Dogs, February 8-19, at Lakes Elementary School in Hartland.

Last Chance Rescue came to my attention through Natalie Batten, a civic-minded fourth grader at Lakes. Natalie, who manages to be polite, articulate and very persuasive all at once, agreed to sit down for an interview, after I suggested that Livingstontalk.com would be a good place to showcase the Dimes for Dogs project she began as a second grader.

I was interested in hearing how a seven-year old launched a charitable project on her own--and how she sustained enthusiasm for fund-raising for more than two years. My experience with 30 years' worth of school-based charitable aid projects in a middle school is that they come and go--and are generally accompanied by competitions, rewards and pictures in the newspaper. Lots of good is done--and the right goals are modeled--but adults make the decisions, and there's an assumption that kids need more than warm feelings to develop the habit of benevolence.

I asked Natalie how she got started. She paused, thinking. "I'm passionate about animals," she said. "Especially dogs. When I learned that abandoned dogs often have to be killed, I thought I might be able to do something. Plus--my mom asks me and my brothers every night how we made a difference that day."

She took her idea to her principal, Lindsay Smither, who agreed to host the project, but privately cautioned Natalie's mother, Angelle, that she may want to manage Natalie's expectations. Mrs. Smither gently noted that Natalie's fund-raising goal of $100 was a stretch, even for an entire class. In the first year of the project, however, Natalie raised over $1000. Last year, after the economic meltdown, she tallied about $600. And she has high hopes for year three.

The Dimes for Dogs project has a refreshingly kid-friendly quality. Posters are drawn by kids, who also make their own announcements on the school PA system. Daisy, a cardboard dog, guards the donation canister, and in the second year, Daisy had "puppies"--canisters placed in other community locations. Representatives from Last Chance Rescue brought in real puppies without homes to illustrate what happens when people don't fix their pets.

The Batten family now has two rescued dogs, Oliver and Bella. I asked Natalie if Bella lived up her beautiful name, and if the rescued pups were good dogs. Natalie's dad, Mike, rolled his eyes, but Natalie defended her doggy pals--it's pretty clear that Natalie and her brothers are making a difference in Oliver and Bella's lives, at the very least.

What advice does Natalie have for kids who want to pursue their own humanitarian goals? Again, the pause to reflect. "Well--it's important for kids to think about their passions," she says. What they care most about, what would make them happy. What makes Natalie happy? Her instant answer: "I know for sure that I'm helping." I'm guessing that those regular home reminders to make the world a better place are also a big part of that satisfaction.

If you'd like to donate, checks to Last Chance Animal Rescue--and of course, dimes--can be sent or taken to Lakes Elementary. Last Chance also needs foster homes, dog food, clean used blankets and other items for animal care. Finally--Natalie wanted to make sure you could identify Daisy the Dog (see photo). She was nice enough to let her brothers, Jacob and Lucas, get in the picture, too.