- April 26, 2024
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News release provided by Flagler County
A group of sixth-graders from Bunnell Elementary School spent Tuesday morning, March 26, volunteering at the Wadsworth Dog Park, spreading mulch and painting fire hydrants.
The students are part of Jennifer Colindres’ Community Problem Solvers gifted class. They created the name Animal Assisters, with an E, for their yearlong efforts to aide Flagler County’s animal population and their owners.
“We find a problem or a dilemma, and then we spend the year trying to improve it,” student William Vierengel said.
Their project at Wadsworth Park is the fourth of the year, following a resource drive for Flagler Humane Society, a drawing contest to create a dream dog park and a PowerPoint presentation to the Flagler County Parks and Recreation Department that led to Tuesday’s project.
“I was very impressed by the whole presentation,” said Frank Barbuti, parks manager. “This is a very professional group of kids, and I really admire their desire to help others.”
The Animal Assisters – Kenny Logan, Paul Grau, William Vierengel, Dylan Long, William St. Peter, Margaret D’Elia and Gabriel Dabboussi – are all pet owners and animal lovers.
“We are trying to increase the opportunities for pet owners in Flagler County,” Kenny said. “There are only two dog parks, and one of them is closed right now. That’s why we wanted to do something here.”
Paul said the group debated long and hard about whether to spell assisters with an E or with an O. Both spellings are correct.
“We want people to know that we chose to do that,” he said.
The Animal Assisters will spend Wednesday in Orlando in statewide problem solvers competition.
“They have created a business report and will have to explain everything they have done,” Colindres said. “They have done a lot of research and planning. This is a self-motivated group. They have learned to work together, to delegate all while making a difference in the community.”
