When Jami Suseland and Jayna Locke began their summer break, they decided they wanted to help the Cass County Animal Shelter any way they could.

After growing their own radishes and selling them, along with iris bulbs, the two incoming eighth-graders raised enough start-up money to purchase pet care items. After gathering treats, a dog bowl, pet toys and a collar, the girls began a raffle in front of Suseland’s mother’s pet grooming business, Clipper Creations Pet Salon. After just three days of chatting with clients as they come and go from the salon, Suseland and Locke have raised more $60 to donate and they are continuing to raise more.

“We were at the store figuring out what we could do to help raise money and the raffle just popped into our heads,” Locke said Wednesday, sitting in the shade with Suseland and a dog named Dora. “We knew we wanted to help the animals at the shelter.”

The raffle, which will continue until June 27 when they draw the winning ticket, allows anyone interested in helping to enter. One ticket costs $1 or six tickets for $5.

“All of the proceeds will go directly to the shelter,” Suseland said. “They need the help, and we could rely on them to use the money for good things.”

Though the word about the raffle has been limited, the girls said they hope others will hear about the cause and want to enter.

“Once we started talking to people and letting them know that the money was going to the shelter, they were happy to help,” Suseland said.
Suseland’s mother, Pearl, who owns Clipper Creations, said she was surprised her daughter and Locke came up with the idea all on their own.

“I’m so very, very proud of them,” Pearl said.

“They began selling the radishes and iris bulbs, but when they went to the store to get the items to raffle, I had no idea this is what they planned.”