INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Teachers from Suncoast School cried as they told Janet Winikoff, of the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, how they were going to honor a fellow educator who had passed away over the summer.
Nada Molter was a third and fourth grade language arts teacher who loved animals and telling stories. Her former students, along with their parents, knew of her love for pets, so to honor her passing they raised money and collected items to donate to the Humane Society.
This is the first time the school has donated to the Humane Society.
“She was always adopting stray animals,” said Candee Manwaring, school administrator.
The school raised $125 and collected some toys, around 100 pounds of food, and other pet items to donate to the Humane Society.
When Winikoff came to collect the items, she was able to thank the students for the collection.
“We heard she was a big animal lover,” said Winikoff.
The pet food will be given to the community food bank that helps people in need feed their pets. The peanut butter and other items will go to enrich and train the animal to help their chances of getting adopted, said Winikoff.
Molter will also receive a memorial paver in the volunteer pavilion.
Later this year, the students will get a chance to take a field trip to the Humane Society to see how their donations were used.
“We thought it would be a great tribute to her,” said Manwaring.
