The third grade classes run by Ms. Leary and Ms. Hummer of the Joseph C Caruso School in Keansburg hosted an Italian Restaurant to benefit the Monmouth County SPCA. The students invited family, friends, teachers, administrators, the board of education, and the MCSPCA to attend. All proceeds from their “bill” were donated to help the abandoned and abused animals at our facility.

A classroom was transformed by creating artwork depicting Italy, which covered the walls. Through generous donations from local businesses, the students were able to offer salad, entree, dessert, and drinks to all. Upon entering, our hostess assigned us a table, where we were greeted by our wait staff. The students promptly took our order and gave immaculate service. Once finished, the bus boys and girls quickly cleaned up and set up for the next group of patrons.

This is a model program for all educators to show how easy it can be to infuse humane education into the classroom.  The students spent many weeks leading up to this program working on various creative writing essays. The room was filled with stories written on the MCSPCA shelter dogs that have been visiting their classroom, ideas on ways to directly help the animals, and stories of their own pets. The students not only learned to become more proficient in creative writing, but also reading, math, geography, and the arts as well.

With this being the 3rd Annual Italian Restaurant, our many thanks go out to Ms. Leary and Ms. Hummer for their continued support of the MCSPCA. Their dedication to both animals and children goes well beyond the norm and makes them both top of the class to us!