Some people are born nurturers. Whether it's with children, adults, pets or plants. Blair Blanks, Hopkins Road, is most certainly one of those people.
Five years ago, she and her family adopted their cat, Oreo, from Charm City Animal Rescue. A few years later, she noticed Charm City was adopting out pets through the Petco in Towson, right near her home. At the time, her son, Graham, was in middle school and looking to earn some service learning hours, required by Baltimore County schools. It seemed like a great solution to match a need for credits in order to graduate from high school with Blair's wish to find a project they could enjoyably perform together. So for the past two years, Blair and Graham have been volunteering together as champions for Charm City Animal Rescue. They scoop litter, clean cages, feed and water the animals and, most importantly provide the rescues with a great deal of love and attention.
"It's been a really good experience," Blair said. "I think it's really good to model service for your children. It teaches them a lot about compassion and responsibility. And they learn a lot about the way animal rescue works. There are a lot of great happy endings and sometimes there are some not so happy endings. And that's a part of it. And so I think there's a lot of great life lessons here for our children."
The Blankses also foster cats and kittens when necessary, which involves opening their homes to whole litters, providing all the care necessary for managing a house full of pets, administering medicine, running the animals to vet appointments and anything else that is necessary to bridge the gap while the rescues wait for their opportunity to find their forever home. And of course, Blair's husband, Tom, and their two adorable daughters, Maren and Campbell, are completely on board with the program. "It's been a great experience not just for me but for my kids, as well." Charm City Animal Rescue is celebrating seven years in business and they are extremely grateful for Blair and Graham.
Rodgers Forge Elementary School hosted its annual Generations Day on Thursday, Oct. 20. Many grandparents and special friends were on hand to celebrate. Before the guests were escorted to their child's classroom, they enjoyed light refreshments and coffee provided by the hospitality crew, chaired by Brooke DiManno. The PTA sponsored the event in conjunction with the staff and the entire event was well organized and coordinated. PTA co-presidents Laura Swoboda and Halley Harvey, along with RFES teacher, Rose Hunter, and room coordinator Katy Annis all did a fantastic job. Naturally, the event was made all the more successful by the many parent volunteers who helped set up, guide the guests around the building, direct traffic, clean up and all the other bits and pieces necessary during an event. Teamwork makes the dream work.
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