The Brooke High School chapters of Future Business Leaders of America and Interact teamed to gather food, toys and other items for the shelter. -- Contributed

WELLSBURG — Several local groups came together to help ensure the many dogs and cats at the Brooke County Animal Shelter have plenty to eat, a soft toy to chew on and a clean place to rest.

Members of the Brooke County Rotary Club recently delivered to the shelter hundreds of items that had been collected by themselves, the congregations of Wellsburg and Franklin United Methodist Churches and students in the Brooke High School chapters of Interact and Future Business Leaders of America.

They also presented a $520 donation to the shelter.

Jerry Simpson, president of the Brooke County Rotary, said the public contributed many of the items through drop-off sites established at the two churches, the high school and his business, Borden Office Equipment.

He noted it’s not the first time for such a collaboration, with the churches joining the club in donating funds to local charities and the Interact club, advised by Adam Haught and Chad Haught, teaming up for a community cleanup in Wellsburg’s downtown business district last fall.

Simpson said he and others involved have an open heart for the stray dogs and cats found at the local shelter.

“Animals don’t have a choice in the life they’re given,” he said.

Donna DeJaro, the shelter’s director, said in addition to canned food and nonperishable pet treats, the shelter welcomes cleaning supplies and old blankets and sheets.