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Scenes from the Fort Wayne Farm Show — Pages 6-7, 11 January 26, 2022
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Sharp Creek students, Urbana Lions join forces to help others By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com The students at Sharp Creek Elementary School are trying to help the Urbana Lions Club to raise funds to sponsor at least one, if not more, leader dogs. Lions officials approached the students about helping to raise the funds as a way to get the youngsters involved in helping others. The guide dog program is part of the Lions International mission. On Wednesday, Jan. 19, Lions officials, along with Dr. Lindsay Culver, an optometrist with Midwest Eye whose family is fostering a leader dog candidate, spoke to the students about the program during an assembly in the school gym. Officers from the Sharp Creek K Club, the Kiwanis Club program for elementary school students, told their fellow students how the partnership came about. “The Urbana Lions Club contacted us about raising money for the Leader Dog Program,” K Club President Madelyn Holley said. The students voted to raise $300 for the program over the next two weeks. Lions Club President Denny Craft told the students that two donors have pledged $100 each to help the students, while the Urbana club will match the $300 the students hope to raise. “We’re going to give you $500,” Craft said of the donations, “and you’re going to put in $300; that’s already at $800. We’re going to try to exceed that goal and maybe raise $1,000.” To help entice the students into raising funds, the class that raises the most will receive an ice cream party. The students were told that there are three ways they can help raise funds. One will be by placing change into containers in the individual class rooms. Another way is during a candy sale in which students will be able to buy candy at the school. The third way is with a popcorn sale on Jan. 28. Dr. Culver, with her leader dog in training, Izzy, at her side, explained to the students what it takes to foster the animals. The dogs have a very rigid routine they must follow. For example, they are only allowed to eat dog food and are not allowed people food of any kind. In addition, they are not allowed to play fetch, for fear that they will be in service and try to chase after an object that catches their eye. The dogs also must sleep in their own cage, and are not allowed on the furniture or to sleep in their handler’s bed. She also explained why she wanted to become a puppy raiser. “At Midwest Eye Consultants, we try to help people see better, whether that’s with glasses or contacts,” Dr. Culver said. “But sometimes, no matter what we do, some people just can’t see very well. Those people are blind, or visually impaired. “That’s why I wanted to become a puppy raiser. I wanted to do more. I wanted to more to help someone who just can’t see very well.” The leader dogs help those with visual problems gain independence. “So you can tell Izzy has a big job ahead of her when she becomes a leader dog,” Dr. Culver said. “She’s going to provide somebody with that independence.” This is the first time that the Lions have tried to team up with another group to help raise funds for the program. It costs $500 to sponsor one puppy. “We hope to raise enough to sponsor two,” Craft told The Paper of Wabash County. In addition to raising funds to sponsor the dogs, the students will be allowed to choose which puppy, or puppies, they sponsor. The school received photos of five different puppies. The students will select which ones they will sponsor.
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Dr. Lindsay Culver talks to the Sharp Creek students about her dog, Izzy. Photos by Joseph Slacian
Sharp Creek students listen to the presentation.
Urbana Lions Club President Denny Craft talk with the Sharp Creek students about the Leader Dog program.
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