As a final component of SERVE at Maryville University, the LIVE Rescue students volunteered at a fundraiser for Gateway Pet Guardians called Pasta for Pets yesterday in Fairview Heights, IL. Pasta for Pets is a huge annual fundraiser for the organization held at the Pasta House. The students sold wrist bands for the pasta bar and gathered donations at the photo booth. The fundraiser earned over $13,000 for Gateway Pet Guardians, and the students helped make that possible with their hard work that day! That money will go towards veterinary and medical care for animals rescued on the streets of East St. Louis. It will help the organization continue their mission of ending animal homelessness and overpopulation.
Below is the final version of the LIVE Rescue video, complete with reflections from the students and footage of them visiting different organizations and working at Pasta for Pets. It was a fun semester filled with learning and hard work. I hope these first year students continue to explore animal welfare and rescue and find their niche in an organization close to their hearts!