Spreading Kindness in Georgia
March 28th, 2024
By Amelia Saris, Kind News™ Manager
When we say “humane education,” it’s not uncommon for people to scratch their heads. Who are we educating? What is humane about it? And why?
But to Debra Berger, the Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) Georgia state director, the reason is crystal clear. “One of my favorite quotes about humane education is, ‘Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar’” (Bradley Millar), she says.
Kind News™ is proud to announce a new sponsorship with Luck’s Rescue in Georgia in conjunction with Georgia Center for Humane Education!
No stranger to the needs of her state, Debra began her journey in animal protection as a volunteer at the Atlanta Humane Society in the 1980s, working in direct care and advocacy, and eventually assuming her State Director role with the HSUS, in which she works to improve the lives of Georgia animals through legislation, policy, education and volunteer engagement.
Debra Berger, GCHE founder
GCHE focuses on advocating for the benefits of the human-animal bond, serving as a resource to promote humane education in Georgia. In its early years, volunteers always presented in-person programs in the classroom. But as the times changed, the organization did too. “We’ve sought ways to make humane education more accessible to teachers, parents and volunteers outside our limited geographic area”, Debra explains. Through their self-service website, education-oriented Facebook page, and digital Humane Education kit, they aim to ensure that educators have the resources they need at their fingertips to help children develop empathy for animals.
One of the most exciting initiatives is their Valda Beavin Scholarship Fund, which allows GCHE not only to sponsor training opportunities for humane professionals, but also to bring RedRover’s own Kind News, the magazine that inspires kids to be kind to animals and people, to children.
A long-time supporter of the magazine, Debra says, “Kind News is a great way to give language and action to children, and nurture their natural compassion [for animals]. Our goal is to promote the benefits of humane education far and wide, and make programs and materials-like Kind News easily available.”
When hosting HSUS Georgia’s Georgia Animal Rescue Day at the State Capitol, Debra had the opportunity to meet Brigieta Balsimo, Vice President of the newly formed Luck’s Rescue. Struck by Brigieta’s passion, she decided to team up with Luck’s to bring Kind News to the rescue’s local schools in Dade County, Georgia.
Audray Luck, Luck’s Rescue founder
“It’s so heartwarming to see these two organizations come together to give children the opportunity to learn more about animals, and strengthen their bond with them,” says RedRover’s Vice President of Operations and Education, Karly Noel.
Brigieta is thrilled to be partnering with GCHE for this cause.“We strongly believe education on animal welfare is a pivotal part to changing the future landscape,” she says. “By supporting classrooms, and community education centers we offer opportunities for children to choose to make a positive impact.”
Kind News relies on the generosity of sponsors like GCHE and Luck’s Rescue to bring the magazine to teachers and children. Want to get involved? Visit KindNews.org/adopt to learn how you can adopt one – or more – classrooms today, or email KindNews@RedRover.org.
