West Islip student campaigns for Town Animal Shelter

Alex Romanello never met an animal he didn't like. Cat, dog or reptile, big, small or green, the West Islip fifth grader stops to look, pet, and help if needed. And such was the case when the Manetuck Elementary School student visited the Islip Town Animal Shelter to adopt a one-year-old yellow lab named Max. Alex, whose eyes lovingly admired the dog, was also noticing that some of the residents were not on blankets, but were sitting or laying on the cold floor of their cages. And that bothered him. So he asked his mother if he could begin a campaign for the shelter, asking for donations of bedding materials.

Upon receiving her seal of approval, Alex turned next to his teacher, Cathy Olson, who agreed that the class might want to help, too. Soon, Alex's classmates began to bring in towels and blankets, and sensing a good thing was happening, he sought permission to make presentations in nearby classrooms, where he was also well received. And as the donation pile got bigger, so did Alex's smile.

When school finished for the day on October 5, Kim Romanello picked up her son and the bedding materials and drove to the animal shelter. Vet technician Justina Anderson (no relation to Manetuck Principal Mary Anderson) was thrilled and set about writing a letter of thanks to Alex and the fifth graders, adding, "Alex and his classmates did a superb job; above and beyond. We're very grateful."

Back at home, Max waits every day for Alex's return from school, along with a second dog he's adopted, Roxanne, plus two cats, and a snake. Alex's mom says, "This is really all we have room for. My son is very generous and since he was old enough to walk, he's gravitated to animals." And vice versa.

At Manetuck Elementary, Olson is proud, too, and talked about the fund-raising flyers Alex created and distributed, adding that the youngster wants to be a zoologist.

Meanwhile, at 10 years of age, Alex learned that he's too young to volunteer at the animal shelter. "It's okay," he says. "I'll find other ways to help."

Shown in the photo, West Islip student Alex Romanello holds a flyer about Islip Town Animal Shelter. He's pictured with his classmates and fifth grade teacher Cathy Olson.

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