Amid the tales of destruction and woe following the devastating tornado that hit Joplin Sunday, a pair of Iola High School students are focusing on the less-publicized victims — animals.
Kylee Classen and Hannah Barclay, both members of the IHS FFA chapter, are collecting pet food and other supplies for dogs, cats “or any other type of animal.”
They plan to deliver the goods to Joplin on Friday. They set up camp Wednesday afternoon in front of Orscheln Farm and Home.
Within an hour, the pair had a stack of dog and cat food, leashes, collars, a pet carrier and more than $100 in cash.
“We weren’t sure what to expect,” said Classen, FFA chapter president. “This was definitely a last-minute thing.”
Classen got the idea after her mother, Sonja, volunteered in Joplin in the hours after the storm. Sonja Classen is a certified nurses aide and heard a call for CNAs to assist with evacuations of nursing homes in the Joplin area. She spent several hours in Joplin overnight Sunday.
“The people obviously need help, but we need to think of the animals, too,” Kylee Classen said.
Other items can be donated to the cause by calling Classen at (620) 212-3737.
Classen and Barclay both will enter their senior years at IHS in the fall. Barclay is the FFA chapter sentinel.
Students aid storm’s four-legged victims
