DIGHTON — In conjunction with Curt Schilling’s Operation Bullpen, Bristol County Agricultural High School’s animal science department has opened a hurricane relief donation center, prioritizing pets and livestock that have become endangered in Florida and Texas.
Although the center is accepting donations for animals such as hay and bagged food, human-related items will also be shipped to affected areas in a tractor trailer, department chairman Leslie Blanchette said Wednesday.
Since opening on Sept. 7, the school’s relief center has taken in more than 3,000 pounds of dog food, 1,000 pounds of cat food and a “good amount” of baby supplies, she said.
“We’ve had quite a few different organizations and businesses make donations to the drive,” Blanchette said.
Among others, some businesses that have donated supplies to the drive include the real estate company Re/Max and Munroe Feed and Supply, which has been accepting call orders of materials to be shipped directly to Bristol Aggie.
Blanchette said Odie’s Place Animal Rescue has provided the largest single donation so far after bringing in a 26-foot trailer packed with mostly pet supplies and cases of water bottles.
Odie’s Place, a not-for-profit, no-kill, all-breed animal rescue in Dartmouth, has been conducting its own pet-centered relief efforts in past weeks, having gone on a five-day tour across Southeastern Massachusetts to pick up supplies at different locations.
According to Brian Harrington, the shelter’s media contact, one tractor trailer was “completely packed” within two days of the tour. Harrington said that he decided to supply Bristol Aggie’s relief center after hearing about it from Curt Schilling himself.
“All of this, we did on our own. We’re a small organization with a big heart,” Harrington said.
When Harrington made a stop to pick up supplies at Ponderosa Sportsman’s Club in Acushnet, he was surprised at how organized the effort was on the part of those making donations.
“As soon as we pulled up, there was already stuff there waiting for us,” Harrington said.
Blanchette said that organized private efforts like Operation Bullpen have been essential in supplementing major operations by FEMA and the American Red Cross. She explained that many local organizations have been struggling to conduct their own relief efforts because they do not have a means of delivering materials out of the region.
To do so, Blanchette said that vehicles with donated supplies need to have clearance and authorization to enter into affected areas in both Houston and Florida.
“There’s so many different organizations trying to help,” Blanchette said.
“The problem is a lot of people want to help but know that they can’t get supplies shipped out to those in need once they have them.”
As for Bristol Aggie’s relief center, the first truck with supplies will be leaving the campus on Monday, Sept. 18 and its contents will be driven down and distributed by members of Operation Bullpen.
Blanchette said that her main goal is to take in enough supplies by that date to completely fill a tractor trailer container. She also emphasized that the donation center has access to as many trucks as it can fill.
Despite her department’s efforts, Blanchette said that she does not want to make anyone feel like they have to donate to Aggie’s relief center.
“If you want to help, you don’t have to donate here at the Aggie. You can donate to anyone that you want,” she said.
“In my eyes, as long as you donate, you’re helping out.”
All donations can be dropped off at the Bristol Aggie Animal Science Department at 135 Center Street. For any items in need of a pick up, call 508-669-6744 (ext.129).
