Purr-fect grade: Sault teen turns class project into cat food collection drive

Anyone who loves cats can be inspired by the Sault’s Eugene Savard.

There are four feline pets in his home and the 15-year-old recently collected and delivered over 100 tins of cat food as a surprise for the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society. 

The Grade 10 Korah Collegiate student used his love for cats to complete a Civics class project. Such projects are designed to teach young people how to be engaged, active citizens inside and outside school.

Eugene began collecting the cat food tins about a month ago.

After learning of his project, Korah Collegiate principal Steve Caruso printed flyers requesting cat food donations for Eugene to give to teachers in each of the high school’s classrooms.

As a result, teachers and students filled several boxes packed with donated tins of cat food to support Eugene’s mission.

Assisted by one of his teachers, Eugene made the surprise delivery of cat food to the Humane Society April 25.

“They were pretty happy. They were pretty thankful for it,” Eugene said in a phone conversation with SooToday. 

He said he did not expect to collect over 100 tins of food.

“I like cats a lot. I think they’re better than dogs,” he said with a laugh. 

“I’m pretty proud of him for stepping up to the plate and having this so organized. The goals he made for himself were surpassed to make it a nice surprise for the Humane Society. It was unexpected by them,” said Eugene’s mother Christina Savard.

“It’s just nice to give instead of getting. It’s nice to help,” Eugene said.