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Making a Difference
ON THE INSIDE The latest happenings in our area Page 4
January 7, 2016
Area students aid a local animal hospice by Cathleen Lathrop
SPECIAL TO THE TRIBORO BANNER
At the start of anything great is love. That’s how Tracey’s Hope began. Tracey’s Hope Hospice Care Program and Rescue is based in Duryea and is a nonprofit extension of Pet Services by Denise. The organization provides hospice care for pets that are disabled, elderly or terminally ill. It began with the devotion one woman had for her furry friend. Denise Kumor, CEO and founder of Tracey’s Hope, started the organization after her dog, Tracey, was dying of kidney failure. She didn’t want her beloved Jack Russell/sheltie mix to pass away in a hospital. “She was my soul mate. She was my first hospice care because I took her home to die. That’s when the organization began,” said Kumor. When needed the organization will bring the euthanization process to the home for the comfort of the pet as well as the owner. Tracey’s Hope provides other services, such as their Missing Pet Committee, Animals Rights and Advocacy Committee and their Adoption and Rescue Group. Between the facility, foster homes and longterm care, the organization has helped more than 30 dogs. “I couldn’t do it without my volunteers,” said Kumor. “Currently, there are 47 of them. Some work with the animals, some work on animal rights, some help with hospice and others just focus on fundraising – which we always need.” Kumor has considered the organization lucky to be in such a compassionate community. She especially mentions Riverside school. “Riverside has been a very supportive school. They’ve done pennies for pup where we brought the district attorney in to speak with the kids and they raised money for us. The Hexagon Art Club recently collected money too. They put their hexagons out and they raised more than $200 from that fundraiser alone,” said Kumor. The Hexagon Project is a visual arts opportunity for young people ages 4 to 18 worldwide. The project asks young people to create art within the infinitely inter-linking shape of a hexagon, a metaphor for interconnectedness. The theme was
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Students in Lisa Temple’s art class at Riverside High School raised money by creating ceramic collection boxes that were distributed in local businesses in Taylor and Moosic. These businesses included Grande’s Pizza, Citizen’s Bank, Taylor Deli, Dino and Francescos Pizza, Johnny Rockets, Montage Mountain Resorts, PetValu and Gourmet Slice. They raised $243.31. As part of their senior project, Ravyn Caputo and Hannah Miller distributed, monitored and collected the ceramic hexagon-shaped boxes. Participating students included, from left: Hannah Milller, Kaylie Oustrich, Cindy Ammah, Louis Stefanelli, Kevin Connor, Daniel Kleeman, Morgan McGuire, Coby Sophamixay, Marren Pollack, Dylan Ward, Stephan Ladd, Frankie Bracey, Mathew Pendrak, Samuel Hartman, Noah Berkoski, Conor Aglialoro, Thomas Hufford, Lauren Amaral, Lisa Temple, Emily Donahue and Ravyn Caputo. Also working on the project were Alexis Ralston, Landy Burkland, Elizabeth Keegan, Hunter Lloyd, Olivia Lange, Julia Antoniacci, Ethan Burnside and graduated seniors Nichole Diaz and Kayla Buckley.
“Our Reality, Our Hope, Our Change.” Tracey’s Hope also has junior volunteers who help out at their schools and communities. They raise awareness about the organization and try to help children understand the importance of respecting animals. “One of our junior volunteers goes to Scranton and she organized a food and supply drive for us where people donated towels, blankets, food and other needed supplies,” she said. “A Life Skills class in Pittston conducted another drive for us and we received a whole pallet full of food as well as blankets and toys. We love getting the schools on board with us and getting the kids involved.” Though the fundraising is helpful and greatly appreciated, Tracey’s Hope recently had a problem with their heating system and had to purchase a whole new one. On top of that, they’re still paying veterinarian bills from the John. C. Tanis III of Moosic case.
Tanis III was found guilty of five counts of animal cruelty in 2014. Tracey’s Hope fostered 30 of his dogs in 2012. “We’ve really made a lot of strides and differences when it comes to animals rights. We pushed until we got [Tanis] in jail. We work hard to make a difference in the community.” If you’re interested in volunteering, Kumor encourages you to contact her at 570-457-1625. She’s always looking for more volunteers and has numerous committees you can join that include an auxiliary committee, board of directors, board of advisors, junior volunteer program, a direct animal care program, an animal rights team, a hospice team and a fundraising team. “I love the volunteers. They’re like my family,” Kumor said. Monetary donations can be made and additional information can be found at traceyshope. com.