The lack of and desire to have a pet, led to Elizabeth Gerson’s Bat Mitzvah project, “Paws for a Cause.” Like many today, having a Bat Mitzvah means learning to give back to society. And Elizabeth did that in a big way! She earned more than $2,000 that was split between Wayside Waifs and Animal Haven, two animal shelters in the Kansas City area.
“Since at home we don’t have any pets, I wanted to help animals and get food for shelters,” said Elizabeth, who became a Bat Mitzvah at New Reform Temple in November.
She analyzed her market and came up with a wonderful plan. “I knew friendship bracelets were very popular with my friends at school,” said Elizabeth, a seventh-grade student at Pembrook Hill. She was able to purchase woven friendship bracelets and little silver paw charms with her Bat Mitzvah money. She then put them together with packaging and made 500 Paws for a Cause friendship bracelets.
Each bracelet sold for a $5 donation. Elizabeth and her dad, Jim Gerson, went to several weekend events sponsored by both Wayside Waifs and Animal Haven, like “Strut with your Mutt” held this fall for Wayside Waifs. She set up her bracelet display at each event. “Some people gave more than the $5 donation,” she said.
“We are beyond thrilled she was able to raise so much money for the animals,” said Ashlee Parker, communications relations manager at Wayside Waifs. “It was remarkable to have a 13-year-old girl be able to do this.”
“This was a labor of love for Elizabeth,” said her mother, Katie Gerson. “Because she enjoyed this so much she has asked about extending her volunteerism and wants to do more.” That’s a feeling that makes her parents very proud. “It has given her a good start, and now she has other ideas to help others,” added her mother.
In fact Elizabeth says, “I am definitely looking into volunteering. It would be awesome to volunteer at a shelter!”
Elizabeth also acknowledges her mother’s help. “My mom helped with the name, ‘Paws for a Cause.’ I wanted something really catchy!”
After selling about 400 of her 500 bracelets, Elizabeth had almost 100 left over. She donated these to the two shelters, giving each a display as well. So even though her project is officially over, the shelters are still earning some money from her work.
“What an amazing young woman. Her generosity and compassion will help so many homeless pets while they are in our shelter,” said Teresa Johnson, Animal Haven’s chief executive officer. “The money she raised for Animal Haven will help us pay for food to feed all the dogs and cats in our shelter for almost a month.”
But Elizabeth knows she could not have done this project by herself. “I could not have done this without the help and support of friends and family, and the people at Wayside Waifs and Animal Haven,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who bought a bracelet!”