LEWISTON — Several children from Androscoggin County practiced selflessness by collecting supplies for shelter pets in lieu of birthday gifts during their recent celebrations. 

Party guests donated pet food, treats, litter and pet supplies to help with the care of the thousands of unwanted animals the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society helps each year. 

On Jan. 28, the children presented the donations to the shelter. 

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 55 Strawberry Ave., provides a safe haven for more than 4,500 sick, homeless and abused animals in the greater Androscoggin area each year. The primary support for the shelter comes from fundraising events and donations of concerned citizens. 

FMI, donate, adopt: 207-783-2311, SavingPetsInMaine.org, facebook/GAHumane.

Gwendolyn Lacombe of Lewiston presents Greater Androscoggin Humane Society with donations from her 10th birthday party. For the third year in a row, the fourth-grade student  at Geiger Elementary School asked for donations in lieu of birthday gifts.

Trevor Pineau, left, of Lewiston presents the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society on Jan. 28 with the donations from his 13th birthday. Pineau is a seventh-grade student at the Lewiston Middle School. He is pictured with his sister, Allie Pineau.

Alyssa Whitmore, left, of Auburn presents the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society on Jan. 28 with the donations from her sixth birthday. Whitmore is a kindergarten student at the Fairview Elementary School. She is pictured with her sister, Abby Whitmore.