Vigilant photo/ALY GIBSON Jayna Locke, left, and Jami Suseland sit in the shade Wednesday selling raffle tickets.

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 than $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 hope others will hear about the cause and want to enter.
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.
The raffle ends June 27. To donate or enter the raffle, visit the salon at 109 N. Fulton St., Cassopolis, or call (269) 445-3432.