Pupils raise funds for Seeing Eye

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - During a three-month campaign at the C. Richard Applegate School, Jeanne Brennan Drive, students raised $5,298.02 for The Seeing Eye Inc. in Morristown. Representatives visited the school May 15 to accept a check and speak to students about how the funds will be put to work.

According to a press release from the Freehold Township K-8 School District, The Seeing Eye breeds, raises and trains guide dogs for the visually impaired. According to the organization, it costs $50,000 to train one guide dog and pair the dog with a blind person.

"We are so grateful that through this team effort, you were able to accomplish this," Seeing Eye volunteer Anita Eigen said. After accepting the check at a school assembly, Eigen introduced Seeing Eye dog owner Vince Cheney and his dog, Randolph.

Cheney told the students about the organization and demonstrated how a fully trained dog offers freedom and comfort to its owner.

"I trust in him to help me get around safely," he said.

Gail Reilly, Applegate PTO member and coordinator of the community service committee, said that in addition to raising money for a good cause, the initiative offered an opportunity to educate students about visual impairment and the capabilities of Seeing Eye dogs to allow the blind to live independently.

"The children of Applegate embraced this program with heartfelt enthusiasm," Reilly said.

Students raised money through a schoolwide penny war, raffles and contests.

Reilly added that the program represented the cooperation between faculty, staff and the PTO at Applegate.

"We worked as a team to ensure the program was successful and that we met our goals," she said.

As a result of reaching their goal, students were able to name one of the recently born puppies at The Seeing Eye, a German shepherd. Students voted and named the dog Frisky.