Dee Ann Patterson/Lawton Public Schools
Raphie celebrated his birthday in grand style on Monday complete with presents and sugary treats.
The presents were actually pet supplies that were later donated to the Lawton Animal Shelter and the sugary treats were cupcakes for the humans at the birthday party. The birthday boy, a 13-year-old Labrador, contented himself with eating popcorn.
The birthday party is an annual event given by Misty Mason, teacher at Gateway and Lawton Virtual Academy, which are housed at Douglass Learning Center. She said the annual birthday parties started several years ago.
“My very first year here, I talked about him like he was my child,” she said. “They (students) surprised me with something for Ralphie on his birthday. The second year, they brought in about 20 treats. From there it blossomed into this.”
“This” is an annual donation event whereby students collect pet supplies which are then donated to the Lawton Animal Shelter. Mason said about 2,000 items will be collected this year, far exceeding her goal.
It is one assignment that AnnaBeth Rodrigues enjoys. She said she sent out invitations to her family and friends, requesting they donate some pet items; she also donated some items herself.
“This is my first year to be involved,” she said. “I loved it. It meant a lot to me to get to help. I definitely would do it again.”
Rodrigues knows how important it is to provide for pets. She has six dogs, a pet spider, two cats and two pet snakes.
“I hope the donations will help some dogs and cats get better treatment while in the animal shelter,” she said. “I hope they will get placed.”
Rodrigues also was the one who suggested the costume Ralphie wore to his party — a baseball jersey with a red cap.
“I suggested to Mrs. Mason to get Ralphie his jersey,” she said. “I thought he would look like the dog in “The Sandlot” movie with his jersey and hat on.”
This was the second year for Emilia Rosales to help. She said she sent out invitations and helped organize donations.
“I want to support my school and my class and my community. It means the world to me because you get to help the local community,” she said.
Rosales said Ralphie also helps with his own birthday party.
“She (Mrs. Mason) showed Ralphie a couple of times. He does help out, just knowing he is supporting the class.”
Mason said the donations come almost entirely from what the students solicit. The event is posted on Facebook and a needs list is listed on Amazon. Every year, Chambers Veterinary Clinic donates items, Mason said.
This year donations ranged from dog and cat food to treats and toys to paper towels to cat litter to dishwashing soap and towels.
Cliff Blasengame, director of Lawton Animal Shelter, said the donations help the hundreds of dogs and cats who come into the shelter each month. Blasengame said the dishwashing soap is used to clean the pet bowls and kennels each day. Blankets are put in the kennels to keep the animals warm and give them something to cuddle with.
“LPS has been a great partner. Ms. Mason and the team can’t imagine the dollars they have saved the City of Lawton,” Blasengame said.