Philadelphia resident Lizzie Penna is a normal 10-year-old girl. She goes to elementary school. She draws, writes, reads, and listens to music. But what's different about Lizzie is that at the mere age of 7, she started her own nonprofit animal organization, Peace for Puppies. The irony? Lizzie's allergic to animals.
After watching Oprah Winfrey's famous puppy mill episode, Lizzie was on a mission. "Once I saw how animals were being treated, I had to do something about it," she said. Unable to volunteer at a shelter due to her age, she sought other ways to help animals and thus Peace for Puppies was born.
Peace for Puppies' main goal is to provide supplies and donations to local Pennsylvania animal shelters and rescue organizations. Lizzie's mom, Ali, helps her with networking and finances, but leaves the major decisions, such as where to make donations for each fundraiser, up to Lizzie. Over the past few years, Peace for Puppies has made some valuable connections.
"We have connected with people from different shelters and rescues who have been great to our organization, and we really make an effort to donate to these places," Lizzie said. "But we try to evenly spread out our donations."
Lizzie has organized bake sales, car washes, and lemonade stands, among other efforts, to raise funds for animal shelters and rescue organizations. In fact, according to an article about her in the Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood Patch, Lizzie's first bake sale amassed nearly $500. When she's not in school or brainstorming ideas for Peace for Puppies' next fundraiser, Lizzie can be found speaking to children at local schools about humane animal treatment and ways that children can help the cause. She encourages her peers to visit local shelters, to collect shelter supplies through their schools and communities, and to hold fundraisers.
"I talk a lot about puppy mills, dogfighting, and animal cruelty, because that's what I'm interested in, but I encourage kids to pursue whatever it is they believe in," said Lizzie. "If you follow your dreams, anything can happen for you."
When asked about her future plans for Peace for Puppies, Lizzie was certain. "I want to make it a bigger organization and do this for the rest of my life. I want to pass it on to my kids. After all, they are the next generation and we need to keep this going until everything's right in the world."
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2, when Peace for Puppies is holding a bowling benefit for the Humane Society's Philadelphia End Dogfighting Campaign. At Wynnewood Lanes from 6-9 pm, $20 will get you unlimited bowling and drinks, two slices of pizza, and games -- and Peace for Puppies has even secured a DJ to turn this event into a dance party! Attendees are encouraged to bring shelter supplies in the form of towels, blankets, food, treats, toys, cleaning supplies, leashes, collars, etc. to provide to needy shelter animals. One stipulation: no pets are allowed at this fundraiser.
Donations to Peace for Puppies can be made here. To join the Peace for Puppies Facebook fan page, click here. You can also contact the organization via email.
A special thank you to Lizzie for taking part in this interview. She has changed the lives of not only many shelter animals, but also the people she reaches with her inspirational words and actions. Lizzie, you are a true star and a role model for people everywhere -- of ALL ages! Keep up the good work!
Comments
Very well written and it sounds like you had an awesome interview!
It is a great thing that people at that age have a passion for something so good.
Thanks, Chris! Lizzie was a fantastic interviewee and really knows her stuff!! I'm so excited that younger generations are taking part in animal welfare and I can't wait to see even more from Lizzie and Peace for Puppies in the future!
Young girls can make a difference-it is the reason I founded Unleashed-Unleashed is a social change agent program for girls and animal rescue and welfare is the social cause they address-they rescue pups, create educational awareness campaigns, fundraise all because they are passionate and learn they have the power to change
Stacey, that's fantastic!! I love hearing about initiatives like this. Can you provide the link to your website/fan page so I can join and follow your work? Thanks for your feedback! :)
Good for Lizzie! She seems mature beyond her years. I imagine she was really sweet to talk to, and she'll be thrilled to see this article.
I was blown away by her maturity and compassion toward animals. I wish I'd had even half her conscientiousness about animal welfare at that age. She was amazingly sweet (as was her mother!) and she's actually been in several other publications and was even interviewed by CBS Philly! I told her I fully expect her to be a very famous animal advocate one day :) Thanks for your feedback, Mike!
Goes to show you that you're never to young or old to make a difference in an animal's life. What a wonderful and inspirational story. Good for you, Lizzie. Keep up your hard work and encourage others your age and older to get involved. We thank you and so do the animals you're helping.
Diane, I love that philosophy. There really is no age requirement for helping an animal. Lizzie is truly inspirational and I hope others follow in her footsteps. Thanks for your feedback!
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