Party for the 'Pooches'
Eight-year-old Sara Yoder Celebrates Birthday by Asking for Donations for County Animal Shelter

Sara Yoder, 8, at her Cedarville home with pets Godfrey (left) and Bailey. (Photographs courtesy of Doug and Lydia Yoder)

Sara Bailey Yoder of Cedarville celebrated her eighth birthday Friday, September 15, by hosting a "pooch party" for more than 20 friends at her home. In lieu of birthday gifts, she requested her friends bring pet supplies to donate to the Mackinac County Animal Shelter. A large quantity of dog food, treats, toys, and more than $50 in cash was presented to the animal shelter.

Miss Yoder's parents, Doug and Lydia Yoder of Cedarville and Georgia, said their daughter's love of animals began at an early age.

This year the family rescued a group of seven stray dogs near their farm in Georgia, where they spend winters, providing food, shelter, and veterinary care and eventually finding homes for four of the dogs and keeping three as family pets.

"She's not a selfish little girl at all," said Doug Yoder. "In the big picture, maybe her birthday party donation gives other people an idea to do the same thing."

Miss Yoder has grown up with a longtime family pet, a Golden Retriever named Genny, who recently died at age 12, and she now enjoys spending time in Cedarville with pet dogs Bailey and Godfrey.

Friends attending the eighth birthday party of Sara Yoder in Cedarville brought donations to the animals at the county shelter in lieu of birthday gifts. Party guests included (kneeling, from left) DaeShawna Nye, Heather Bohn, Sara B. Yoder, Gina Augulalerio, Emma Bohn, Kylie Hill, Isabel Brumleve, Madison Schram, Jennifer Sherlund (in back), Ashleigh Mrozek, Nahdja Nye; (standing) Heather McIntire, Elissa Griffin, Allyson Mrozek, Maddie Kohlmann, Annie Eberts, Nicole Sabatos, Alicia Kasper, and (not pictured) Leila Schlasser and Alexandra Mrozek.

She has a brother, Will, 25, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama. Miss Yoder is a second grade student at Les Cheneaux Elementary School and invited all of the girls in the second and third grades at the school to her birthday celebration.

"Hopefully, Sara B's act of giving will inspire others to continue the chain of goodwill and good deeds," said Mrs. Yoder.