Undergraduate students in Dr. Ashley Oliphant’s Writing I classes at Pfeiffer University raised nearly $1,000 in cash and donations to support Petey’s Promise, a nonprofit organization in the Charlotte area created to help people in need feed and provide for their pets.
Through a series of fundraisers, students not only raised money and pet items but also awareness of the need to support pets whose owners want to keep them but cannot afford to take care of them as a result of a hardship like a chronic illness or unexpected financial crisis.
Started by animal lover Liz Mellott, who visited one of Oliphant’s classes recently to share more about Petey’s Promise, the organization is named after the lab-spaniel mix pooch she rescued. Mellott said the group has helped more than 800 animals by providing owners with food, pet bowls, cat litter, flea and tick products, leashes, kennels.
Last month, about 20 Pfeiffer student volunteers packed almost 400 pounds of donated dog food, cat food and cat litter in quart-sized bags for Meals on Wheels recipients who own pets, according to Oliphant.
“The events my Writing I students have organized for Petey’s Promise this semester have been phenomenal,” said Oliphant, who was pleased at the participation from student supporters. “I have been overwhelmed by the number of willing student volunteers that have stepped forward, and the campus community has responded well to the events we have presented. The turnouts we have experienced prove that Pfeiffer is full of service-minded students.”