Ben Madilynn
SUMMER LOVING: (From left) Charlotte Wasserbach, Shayla, London and Ford Coopersmith and Anthony Wasserbach sell their painted shells to raise money for the Friends of the Ocean County Animal Shelter. (Supplied Photos)
If dictionaries were pictionaries, there would be a photo of five enterprising cousins next to the definition of the word “enterprise” and again next to the phrase “animal lovers.”
First up, the enterprise: collecting seashells by the seashore to paint and sell for a good cause. That’s right, the animal lovers donated their proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Friends of the Ocean County Animal Shelter.
Now, the cousins: twins Anthony and Charlotte Wasserbach, 8, and Shayla, London and Ford Coopersmith.
Together, the cousins raised $1,421 in three weeks last month and presented the check to the Friends president on July 26, receiving a private tour of the shelter as well as a framed thank-you note, according to Regina Wasserbach, Charlotte and Anthony’s mother.
Shortly after the cousins’ endeavors became public, they were invited to the dog show in Barnegat Light hosted by Wildflowers and a vendor market in Beach Haven through Coastal Creations, Wasserbach said.
But support and donations didn’t stop on the Island, she added.
“When my friend Lisa Tackach heard about this, she reached out to the charity committee at her company (Railroad Construction Co. in Paterson) and they are planning to make a donation as well,” Wasserbach said. “Donations are still coming in from people hearing about the cause, so we will drop off a check at the end of the month.” —G.G.S.
