Back row: Carolyn Young, Aggieland Humane Society director of development; Meridia Sanders, NSFP associate coordinator; Alexsa Hernandez, AOLP orientation team leader. (Texas A&M Student Life)
Last summer, freshmen at Texas A&M University began their legacy of service even before starting their first semester of classes. The Class of 2022 donated more than $7,000 to Aggieland Humane Society through the Donate A Dime campaign hosted by the Aggie Orientation Leader Program (AOLP).
AOLP is a student organization made up of student leaders who assist in welcoming new students and their families to Aggieland during New Student Conferences, a mandatory orientation program for all new Texas A&M students. Members collected donations from incoming freshmen and their family members at conferences throughout the summer. Andreah Rodriguez ‘19, AOLP finance coordinator, led this year’s effort in support of Aggieland Humane Society.
“The Aggie Orientation Leader Program is built on one of Texas A&M’s core values: selfless service,” Rodriguez said. “Through Donate A Dime, the Class of 2022 had the opportunity to complete its first service project and give back to the Bryan-College Station area, providing new students a glimpse into the importance of service to the university and communities around us.”
The Aggieland Humane Society provides humane care and placement for homeless and abandoned animals and promotes responsible pet ownership to enhance the quality of life for people and animals in the community. AOLP representatives presented a check for $7,004.85 to the humane society on Oct. 19. The donation will help fund a mobile spay/neuter unit, which provides affordable procedures for low-income Brazos County residents.
Rodriguez chose Aggieland Humane Society as AOLP’s nonprofit partner this year because of her passion for veterinary medicine and her personal connection to the organization.
“I worked personally with Dr. Melissa Bump, the head veterinarian of the mobile unit,” Rodriquez said. “She works tirelessly to help both local pets and strays, and the mobile unit is crucial in helping reduce the homeless animal population and educate the public.”
Kathy Bice, executive director of Aggieland Humane Society, expressed gratitude for the donation.
“The generous support of Texas A&M students and their families will help the homeless pets that come into our care,” said Bice. “Thanks so much to the Class of 2022 for making this great gift to pets in need happen!”
Media contact: Kim White, (979) 845-5826, kimw@studentlife.tamu.edu.
