Sparta girl goes above and beyond
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Like any other typical 7 year old, Shawna Smith of Sparta was looking forward to celebrating her 8th birthday. What wasn't typical was the fact that she did not want any presents for herself.
Shawna, a second grader at Sparta Primary Elementary School, decided to celebrate her birthday party with a bowling party at the Steeleville American Legion Bowling Alley. Rather than getting presents she asked that everyone instead donate items to the Randolph County Humane Society.
"When we were at the ballpark by the fairgrounds, we went over to the humane society to see the animals. After seeing the animals I explained to Shawna how the animals got their food and other items through donations. She spoke right up and said, 'Mom I want to donate to the shelter'," said Shawna's mother Shelly. "She came up with the idea of having people who came to her birthday party bring items for the animals and not for her," she added.
Shelly then called the Randolph County Humane Society and asked them what items were needed.
The day of the birthday party came and Shawna got her wish, everyone that attended brought a variety of items for the shelter including: cat litter, food, toys, and dog treats, food and toys.
On Saturday, January 10 Shawna and her mother brought the items to the shelter and visited the animals.
"She was so excited to give the dogs their dog treats," said her mother. "She has always had a history of taking care of animals; anytime we see a stray she wants to pick it up and take care of it."
"This is an exceptional little girl and she did such a kind, unselfish deed," said Julie Gangloff, a volunteer that uses her writing skills for the benefit of the animals by writing a column called "Tail Talk."
Shawna, who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up, wanted to thank all her friends for all the gifts.
Shawna is the daughter of Shawn and Shelly Smith of Sparta and is the granddaughter of Patrick and Sandra Willard of Sparta and Wayne and Judy Daily of Tilden.
According to Heidi Snyder, President of the Randolph County Humane Society, there are always items that are needed for the animals at the shelter including: collars with buckles, leashes with metal snaps, pine-sol, chlorox bleach and chlorox clean up, paper towels, liquid dish soap, gift cards to Walmart,?Wrights, for gas, etc. People are also needed to volunteer their time with walking dogs, cleaning cages, help do laundry, help with building maintenance and with mailings and the newsletter. Anyone interested in assisting the shelter with any one of these things may call them at 618-443-3363.