Pitman child honored for kindness to animals
Published: July 12, 2007
Molly Knox, 6, makes cat toys out of discarded socks and sells them to raise money for shelters, animal welfare groups and pets in need.
In March, she raised enough money to fund the purchase of four pet resuscitation masks for fire and rescue teams. The masks cost $50 each.
Recently, the American Humane Association, headquartered in Denver, recognized her as a first-prize winner in her age group as part of the Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest. The recognition carries a $2,000 prize, which she said she will use to buy new supplies to replace those lost when the basement of her home was flooded during April’s nor’easter.
Her mother, Jenny Knox, 36, said she and Molly have been involved in animal rescue organizations for years. Jenny Knox has spent more than a decade helping animals. In 2002, she established Molly Knox Pet Socks for her daughter.
The socks come from family, friends, neighbors and yard sales. Molly stuffs them with catnip and stuffing to appeal to felines and sells them at local craft shows. All proceeds go to animal rescue organizations.
“You just hot-glue them, put the strings in and that’s how we make them,” Molly said as she sat with her parents at their home in Pitman.
Jenny Knox said she nominated her daughter for the Animal Humane Association award. Kelley Weir, a spokeswoman for the association, said Molly’s nomination was one of about 100 received for the two categories, ages 6-9 and 10-13.
Word of Molly’s selection surprised her family.
“They left it on the answering machine and we kept playing it over again,” Jenny Knox said. “I nominated her. It was a simple application and I forgot all about it until they called and told me she won. It’s $2,000 and a prize package Molly can’t wait for.”
The Knox family owns eight pets, including a cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, bird, turtle and gerbils, most of them rescued.
“I think it’s great what she does,” said her father, Sam Knox, 39. “She really does care. I’m just so proud of her.”
Jenny Knox said she and Molly have special movie nights on Saturdays when they put the socks together.
“My favorite part is spending time with Mom,” Molly said. “We have a lot of fun making them. Pillows, blankets, movie and snacks.”
Molly not only makes the cat toys. She also volunteers her time with organizations such as the Save the Animals Foundation in Deptford. She helps the foundation with gift wrapping during the holidays and other organizations by labeling fliers, donating money and various other activities.
“(Molly’s family) attends all of our functions,” said Maureen Koplow, a Save the Animals board member. “Molly is a marvelous advocate and wise beyond her years. It’s amazing this little girl has this awareness and selflessness to help others.”
It was through family that Molly learned about Best Friends Pet Care’s “Cause for Paws,” a fundraising campaign that provides pet resuscitation masks to fire and rescue teams. The Pitman Fire Company said it was pleased with the four masks Molly donated in March.
“I’m a dog owner and so are my parents,” said Andrew Gresko, second assistant fire chief of Pitman Fire Company No. 1. “It’s a wonderful thing that she did this out of the kindness of her heart.”
In addition to her philanthropic activities, Molly also manages to fit in dance and karate lessons.
Molly’s next ventures include the Pitman Craft Show on Saturday and a Kitten Shower in Voorhees June 9.
“I’m going to raise enough money for this cat that grew up with no eyelids,” she said, “and I’m going to raise enough money for Last Chance Ranch.”
The cat is being cared for by the Furrever Friends Rescue and Volunteer of Woodbury and needs two surgeries at a cost of $2,000.
“Molly loves horses,” her mother said. “And the people at Last Chance Ranch in Quakertown, Pa., are really nice people and they’re always doing very nice things for horses and pets.”
“It’s a fit,” Jenny Knox said. “She loves animals and she doesn’t complain (about the work).”
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: