An elementary School student’s book report project has actually turned into a personal mission to help animals in need and a local nonprofit animal shelter.
Max Maniatis, who is a 10-year-old fourth grader at the school, was inspired to help cats in need after reading the book Gaby, Lost and Found.
Maniatis’ amiable goal to help cats started when he and his mother, Janice Maniatis, were called upon to help a cat without a home in the city of Hartford. They’re often quite receptive to these kinds of requests, his mom noted.
They discovered the cat in December and it lived in Max’s room for a week while they tried to find a shelter for it. Eventually, the Simon Foundation, which is a nonprofit located in Bloomfield, helped them by giving the male gray and white cat, which they dubbed Tom Cat, a temporary home. He, however, is still waiting for his forever home.
And young Maniatis didn’t stop there, though. He’s now asking everyone to donate money or items that the Simon Foundation needs, such as paper towels, blankets, and other pet-related items.
He also hopes to raise awareness about how many animals at places like the Simon Foundation need homes. He’d really like to see between 50 and 60 cats and dogs adopted from the Simon Foundation because of this.
“This is similar to the book because it’s all about rescuing animals and helping,” Maniatis stated. “There are lots of animals in the world and I know that tons of them are being treated badly, abandoned, or killed. We had to find shelter for him or else we knew what was going to happen to him.”
Helping cats in need isn’t exactly new to Maniatis. While living in Salem, Massachusetts, he once helped build shelters and leave out blankets and food for cats in his neighborhood who didn’t have a home. His family, in the end, ended up giving one of those cats a home. They currently have two cats, one dog, and a fish.
Items have already started rolling in at both the school and the Maniatis’ home in West Hartford.
“We posted a thing online and the entire neighborhood is donating,” Maniatis stated. “The entire school is donating.”
“I love how a school project turned into such a collaborative community effort,” his mom added. “His friends, his family, his sisters… everyone is on board helping out. It’s the best way to raise awareness for this foundation.”
Bugbee School Principal Kelly Brouse went on to say that it’s always a goal to see a student turn a classroom project into a larger effort.
“It’s the ultimate goal that you have for your students,” Brouse stated. “You try to teach them all the things you learn in math or reading and social studies, but the whole point of education is to take those things and really make an impact on others and the world around them.”
Brouse stated that it was great that Maniatis took charge and took the initiative to become a leader on a project like this.
“We’re so impressed to see what they want to show us and how they interpret what they’re going to share and think about,” Brouse noted.
“This is what leaders do,” Cherny continued. “I am so impressed with him. He’s a very special guy.”
Maniatis mentioned that he hopes that once he’s able to help the Simon Foundation enough, he can move his focus toward another shelter in the area and help it the same way.
Those who may be interested in donating towards Maniatis’ cause can bring items to Bugbee School or make them directly to the Simon Foundation, which is located at 120 Rescue Lane in Bloomfield
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