Zoe Clemson Hopes to Raise $1,000 By Year End for St. Hubert's

Ten-year-old Zoe Clemson is willing to brave the frenzy of last-minute shoppers for a cause that is close to her heart.

The Franklin Elementary School fourth grader, who offers chocolate chip cookies and lemonade in exchange for donations to benefit St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, will set up shop again from 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at Kiehl's at The Mall at Short Hills.

After a successful afternoon in August, the animal advocate was invited back, her mom, Rose, explained, and through her efforts in August, September and October has raised $800 to date. Zoe hopes to hit the $1,000 mark this Sunday.

The proud owner of a chocolate lab, Rocco, a guinea pig, aquatic frogs and fish, Zoe has always loved animals—both real and stuffed—her mom explained. Whenever the two visit Kiehl's, Zoe gravitates toward the section of the store that features information about adoption at St. Hubert's.

While the skin and hair care retailer, located on the mall's second floor near Macy's, hosts pet adoption days once a month, a brochure listing the animals in need of homes is always on hand.  

"We got to talking with the manager of the store and told him we were planning on having a lemonade stand at the house during our next garage sale and that all of the monies collected were going to St. Hubert's," Rose explained to Patch in August. "He then suggested that at the next pet adoption day we have our lemonade stand at the store with the adoption."

Rose said her daughter was inspired after a guest visited her school and spoke to students about making a difference by finding a cause that interested them. 

"I explained how not all charities use the monies donated for the cause and that you really need to pick something that is important to you," Rose added. "I let her look at the St. Hubert's information and she had decided then that this was what she would raise money for.

"She said it makes her feel really good to be able to maybe help find a home for some of the animals and help pay some of their expenses."

Four-legged friends, ready for adoption, will also be in the store. For those interested in possibly adding to the family in the future, a brochure of other dogs looking for new homes will be available. Representatives from the Madison-based animal welfare center will be on hand to facilitate the adoption process and answer any questions. 

Check back with Patch in 2013 to find out if Zoe met her goal and learn about her fundraising plans for the new year.