The Kingsford Middle School fifth-grade student recently presented the shelter with $600 she earned from selling handcrafted bracelets.

To support their daughter’s efforts, parents Amber and Daniel Pipp of Iron Mountain matched her $300 profit.

After learning of her fundraiser, an animal shelter donor also matched her $300, bringing her total to $900.

“This young lady went out of her way to come up with a unique idea and donate her profits to the animal shelter,” Shelter Manager Diane Luczak said.

SOME OF THE woven bracelets Cecelia Pipp makes that helped her raise $300 for the Almost Home Animal Shelter in Quinnesec. Two matching donations raised the total contribution to $900. (Courtesy photo)

“In this day and age, it is so important for people to know how every charitable act makes a positive impact and sharing it will hopefully encourage others to do the same. Thank you, Cecelia,” Luczak said.

Pipp said she came up with the idea while thinking about possibility doing a business on Etsy, an online marketplace for selling handmade and vintage items or craft supplies.

“I really love animals and like making bracelets, so I decided to sell them to help the animals at the shelter,” Cecelia said.

In less than a month, she created 100 bracelets that were sold for $2 each.

“The bracelets are easy to make and look really pretty,” Cecelia said, adding they take 15 minutes to an hour to finish depending on the style.

KINGSFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL fifth-grader Cecelia Pipp presents Almost Home Animal Shelter employee Senya Laurent with her donation. (Contributed photo)

Cecelia started the hobby a couple years ago but expanded last April when she found out she was going to a Taylor Swift concert in November.

Her mother assisted with the sales, posting her pieces to her Instagram and Facebook pages. “We are so proud of her for taking it on and following through to the end,” said her mother.

Many of her supporters gave extra, in addition to purchasing one of her pieces.

“We are so grateful to the community for their support and generosity,” Amber Pipp said.

Cecelia also learned a few lessons from a business standpoint that she can use in the future. “It was a great learning experience for her,” Amber said.

KINGSFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL fifth-grade student Cecelia Pipp greets some of the dogs at Almost Home Animal Shelter after delivering her donation. (Courtesy photo)

She strongly encourages other area youth to use their own interests to help support the animals and give them the care they need.

“You should just go for it — it really helps out local shelters,” Cecelia said.

“It was really fun.”

Her mother added that Cecelia’s wheels are already turning on what she is going to do next.

“Our family is huge animal lovers, so maybe something else to support them,” said Cecelia, who has an 11-month-old English cream golden retriever, Willow.

She was also excited to deliver her donation because she was able to visit with animals up for adoptions.

“The youth of this community continue to amaze us with their compassion for helping others, from forgoing presents from birthdays and holidays and collecting donations instead to raising money in various ways for the animals,” Luczak said.

The shelter is a nonprofit and relies on volunteers and community support, she noted.

On average, it takes in about 1,200 animals each year. In addition to rescuing and arranging adoptions, the shelter provides veterinary care, spay/neuter procedures, behavioral training and no time limits on keeping animals in its care.

Monetary donations are always greatly accepted, as well as items from their “wish list.” They include non-clumping cat litter; original flavor Meow Mix dry cat food; paper towel; bleach; Pine-Sol/Fabuloso liquid cleaning products; and hard, indestructible dog toys — no stuffed animals or items made from cloth or rope.

Anyone interested can bring items to the shelter at 5060 Lincoln St. in Quinnesec.

For more information on how to donate or any other questions about the shelter, call 906-774-1005; leave a message on the shelter’s Facebook page; or go to the website at https://www.almosthomeanimalsheltermi.com.