Martin Welych-Flanagan
Syracuse, New York

According to his mom, 8-year-old Martin Welych-Flanagan has been enchanted by baby harp seals since he was a preschooler. As he got older and began to read, Martin wanted to learn more about his favorite animal. What he discovered sent this young man into action.

Martin learned the sad truth that each year, thousands of baby harp seals are brutally killed for their fur in the annual Canadian seal hunt. He wanted to do something to stop it, so he formed a "Seal Savers" club at his school. Martin organized club members and they began making bracelets with "Save a Seal" messages on them. Martin and fellow club members sell the bracelets for $1 each and donate the money to The Humane Society of the United State's ProtectSeals campaign.

"I'm not just selling bracelets and making money for the seals," said Martin. "At the same time I'm also making people aware of how cruel the seal hunt is. I'm going to keep trying to raise money until the seal hunt ends."

Pride and Prizes
"I'm so proud of him for channeling his love for living things into action," said Anita Welych, Martin's mother. "Through his enthusiasm and hard work he has inspired his classmates and teachers, as well as friends and strangers alike, into working to end the terrible baby harp seal hunt. His creativity, perseverance, and passion amaze me."

Apparently, Martin's mom isn't the only one who's amazed. For his efforts to save the seals, Martin recently won the $5,000 grand prize in Disney's "Littlest Volunteers" contest. He plans to donate a portion of his prize winnings to The HSUS's ongoing efforts to put an end to the seal hunt. That's wonderful news for an outstanding young man—and for the seals.

UPDATE!!!!

We're here to report that Martin is still on his quest to end the Canadian seal hunt! He recently traveled from his home in New York to The Humane Society of the United States' headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He delivered a $2,500 donation to The HSUS's Protect Seals campaign.

Where did a nine-year-old get that kind of money? It was part of his prize for winning Disney's "The Littlest Volunteer" contest! When Martin won the $5,000 prize from Disney, he knew just what he'd do with it. He donated half to his school, and half to The HSUS for the baby seals!