Toms River Kids Help Save The Animals in Australia

There's a lot of love in Toms River for the animals devastated by the wildfires in Australia. Two Toms River third graders are showing some love by hosting a "change" drive and they have raised thousands to help the animals.

According to Toms River Online, the fundraising began when Olivia Frantantoni began "coins for koalas and kangaroos". The 3rd grader at East Dover Elementary School started the coin drive following the horrible wildfires in Australia, that has devastated animals down under. Olivia asked fellow classmates and staff to donate any extra coins to help our furry friends out. Fellow student Ben Kempner saw the opportunity to help, so he provided buckets for each classroom for donations. Olivia and Ben then collected the donations each day and counted the money collected for the animals.

Together Olivia and Ben have collected over $4,000 to help the "Wildlife Warriors - Australia". The Ocean County kids worked in partnership with the Zoological Society of New Jersey at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. The conservation committee at the society approved a match for donations, so the East Dover Elementary School donation will be $8,000 to help the animals.

The kids donation will be officially presented in a few weeks at a school assembly in Toms River with representatives from the Zoological Society.

What a fantastic job done by Olivia, Ben and everyone at East Dover Elementary. Whole lotta love from Ocean County. THANK YOU

This is the type of story that warms your heart. Kindness, compassion, and love, from one continent to another. No motive other than to help. This is a "Super" story this weekend.