Fort Worth students deliver heaps of holiday treats to shelter animals

Fort Worth students deliver heaps of holiday treats to shelter animals

Published on December 18, 2025

North Hi Mount Elementary's Student Council slipped on their pajamas and got straight into Santa Claus duties this week. Over the past few weeks, students fundraised and gathered donations to make the holidays brighter for pets at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control.

"We considered a lot of ideas and decided to help the city shelter because we all love dogs and cats," said council President Marilyn Norford.

Each morning leading up to Christmas, fifth-grader Norford started the day by giving the morning announcements, encouraging her friends, teachers and anyone who would listen to help the cause.

"I'm helping lead my friends to help these dogs," said Norford. "We thought it would be really cool to give them everything they want."

Norford even made a video to share with the school's Parent Teacher Association, and it seems to have worked.

Educator Jenette Canales stood in awe of all the items the kids had gathered in just weeks.

"It fills my heart to see them giving to their school, community and just other people. It's worth all the hours we put in to get this going," said Canales.

Nearly a dozen students posed for a picture with the heap of goodies they helped gather for FWACC shelter pets. Pounds of pet food, rolls of blankets, handfuls of toys and more were eventually stuffed into an SUV on its way to the shelters.

The kids' generosity doesn't stop there, however. This year, they also adopted two senior angels from a local nursing home, something Norford said was vital to their overall mission.

"It's important to help others because there are people who may have less than us," she explained. "It can be sad to think about, so it's important that everyone has what they need. And if they can't have everything they want, it's still important for us to try."

See details on how to get involved with FWACC shelters.

Photos: Generous students donated pounds of pet food, rolls of blankets, handfuls of toys and more to the shelters.

• Volunteers