Fifth-grader aims to help Pike shelter's budget problems

Montague - Last Friday night the basement at the New Road residence of the Deal family in Montague looked a bit like a Salvation Army store. There were racks of clothing, furniture, appliances and what-not’s. It was all there because 10 year-old Nicole Deal decided that she would help the Pike County Humane Society with their budget problems. A Saturday yard sale was selected as the chosen fundraising method. About a dozen friends, neighbors and relatives have helped out. Nicole’s aunt chipped in $25 and a local chiropractor donated some candy after seeing a flyer that Nicole had distributed. On Friday night, Nicole and older sister Alexandra covered the family dining room with poster board as they prepared road signs. The Montague Elementary School Fifth-grader, who wants to become a wildlife biologist one day, said she had set no goals for the sale. “It doesn’t really matter. I just want to do something to help the animals...If the shelter closes some of them might not be taken care of,” Nicole said. Saturday’s yard sale brought in $320, Nicole’s mom reported.