Mu Alpha Theta collects pet supplies for Jackson County Animal Shelter in honor of Myers
The St. Patrick Mu Alpha Theta has collected pet supplies for the Jackson County Animal Shelter since Friday, Nov. 17, in honor of Sophia Myers. On Tuesday, Nov. 28, internationally known as #GivingTuesday, the honor society accumulated the goods and attached “Love for Sophia” tags onto each item. Sophia passed away on Oct. 20, 2017, and her parents, Angel and Josh Myers, teamed up with the animal shelter to honor her life and love of animals. When approached with the opportunity to take part in the project, the honor society was quick to help.
Sophia Myers would have celebrated her 8th birthday on Monday, Nov. 13. In her honor, Sophia’s parents reached out to the community for donations in her name to the Jackson County Animal Shelter. They collected enough donations to fill a U-Haul van, but that was just the supplies collected at the main drop-off location. St. Patrick and other organizations also collected items. Mrs. Susie Tavel, the Mathematics Department Chair and Mu Alpha Theta sponsor, had the initial thought to host the drive. “The service we normally provide, tutoring,” she said, “which is offering our free time, took a turn in a monetary direction.” Each member was asked to bring at least one pet supply, but most brought several. The drive meant even more to Tavel, who has a special connection to the Myers family. “My graduating with Angel and Josh, Sophia’s parents, made this extra personal for me, and my being able to ask my wonderful MAT students was that much more special.”
The items were tagged and organized on Monday, Nov. 27, and Tuesday, Nov. 28. Nov. 28, 2017, is known worldwide as #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. The items will be delivered to the shelter on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Isabell Alexander, Mu Alpha Theta Vice President, helped create the tags and coordinate the drive. “We were always rooting for Sophia with everything she was going through,” she said, “and it means a lot for us to do something in her honor that also benefits the animal shelter.”
Mrs. Tavel and all members of Mu Alpha Theta want to thank all who donated as a part of #GivingTuesday. “Celebrating Sophia’s passion and birthday couldn’t have been done in a better manner.” To participate in #iGiveCatholic and support St. Patrick and the Diocese of Biloxi by giving to those the Church helps and supports in its communities, click here. To learn more about #GivingTuesday and how you can help, click here. Remember, any time of the year is a good time to donate.
Story by Richard Springer