It isn't every day that a Congressperson calls with an invitation to Washington, D.C. But that's exactly what happened to ten-year-old Francesca Lanfranchi.
A fifth-grader from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Francesca began volunteering at her local animal shelter when she was just seven. Last year, she decided she wanted to do more. She created a fund-raiser to raise money for the shelter. Francesca's "Strut for Mutts" event raised $5,873 for animals!
Francesca Goes to Washington
When Frank LoBiondo,
Francesca's elected representative in Congress, heard about her work, he
wanted to make sure she got some recognition. So he invited Francesca
and her parents to meet with him on Capitol Hill.
"I applaud Francesca's dedication to volunteering and her compassion for animals," LoBiondo said. "Her efforts—even more impressive given her youthful age—serve as a model for us all."
The Humane Advocate
LoBiondo himself is no stranger
to helping animals. He received the Humane Advocate award from The
Humane Society of the United States for supporting animal-friendly laws.
"Representative LoBiondo has been a leader in promoting the humane
treatment of animals in Congress," remarked Michael Markarian, executive
vice president of The HSUS. "It's no surprise that these same values are
reflected in the people in his district."
Do your lawmakers advocate for animals in Congress? Find out by checking their score on the Humane Scorecard. Scroll down to find your state's officials.
