Sophia Enriquez and her best pal and neighbor, Brooklynne Prevost, are a pair of animal lovers who also have big hearts.
Nine-year-old Brooklynne Prevost (l.) and Sophia Enriquez, 10, raised more than $110 from selling lemonade, cookies and brownies for Sun City K9 Adoptions and for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). (Amy Bentley/SWRNN)
The girls, both fourth-graders at Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary School in Menifee, are donating more than $110 they have earned selling brownies, cookies and lemonade to two causes helping animals: Sun City K9 Adoptions, a private, nonprofit, no-kill rescue kennel serving the Menifee Valley that rescues, shelters and adopts out stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The girls learned about the ASPCA from the organization’s heart-tugging television commercials that feature mistreated animals.
“Last year we were thinking we had so many things we wanted. So we decided to sell lemonade, cookies and brownies and raise money,” explained Brooklynne, 9.
Their school this month is hosting a community charity campaign called “Coins for Critters.” Each class on campus has a coin jar in the classroom that students can fill with change. The class that collects the most wins a pizza party courtesy of the Pizza Factory in Menifee.
Donations go to the Sun City K9 Adoptions and the school also has a large box in the front lobby where students and families can donate pet supplies such as leashes and blankets (new or used) and pet food.
Callie Kirkpatrick third-grade teacher Alex Friedrichs said he adopted a dog from Sun City K9 Adoptions three weeks ago and learned the organization desperately needs new supplies. He and other staffers at the school are hoping the “Coins for Critters” fundraiser will teach the students to care about and help their community while assisting the rescue group.
“They are wonderful,” the teacher said about the girls.
Both girls love animals – Brooklynne and her family have five dogs, two cats, three lizards and a bird, and Sophia has two birds (she’s allergic to dogs and cats but loves them anyway).
The girls have been neighbors and best buddies since they were little, and said they plan to have more treat sales to raise funds. Their parents pitched in by baking the brownies and buying the lemonade supplies for the girls to sell.
“Last time we did a lemonade stand over the summer there was a whole line of cars. My mom said it was cool because most kids don’t work for money, they ask for money,” Brooklynne said.
Both girls said they have learned a lot about charity.
“I’ve learned to think about others in the community and help them out,” Brooklynne said.
Sophia, 10, said, “I’ve learned that even though I don’t have that many pets I can still do this and help the community.”
Visit Sun City K9 Adoptions at www.sck9adoptions.org.
Amy Bentley is a local writer and regular contributor to SWRNN.
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