Sixth Grader with a Dream and Community Comes Together
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
One local sixth grader at Boyd County Middle School has taken charge of a significant animal food drive to support our local shelter. Carson (Joseph) Holbrook, better known as “CarJoe,” was born with an unwavering determination and a deep sense of empathy for our furry four-legged friends, and it is because of that deep sense of empathy that young Holbrook has taken on the task of organizing a massive animal food drive that will benefit AARF and the Boyd County Animal Shelter. Holbrook’s father, Jeremy Holbrook shared that, “Parenting is such a unique adventure. I'm sure I've placed my focus on the wrong things numerous times, but Carson's superpower is without a doubt empathy; and when he cares about something enough to want to make positive change happen (instead of just talking about what change is needed) I feel my role as a parent is to encourage, support, and fuel his passion as much as possible.”
With AARF and the Boyd County Animal Shelter joining forces sometime in mid-February, Carson’s animal food drive couldn’t have come at a better time. Holbrook’s animal food drive will take place from February 15 to March 15. Holbrook’s father shed a little bit of light on what his son is looking for with this fundraiser, “We are asking for food or financial donations that will benefit AARF/ Boyd County Animal Shelter; Items such as Purina dog chow, puppy chow, cat chow, kitten food, etc. (a list of needed food items can be found on the website www.CarJoeClassic.com); Donations can be dropped off at The Neighborhood in Ashland, Boyd County Animal Shelter, AARF, and even Malibu Jack's is giving people game cards for animal food donations from February 15-March 15.”
This fundraising project will also be celebrated after its conclusion by being named the theme of the first quarter horse race (March 17, 2024) of the Sandy's Racing Days at the Red Mile in Lexington KY. Carson will have the opportunity to meet the winning jockey of the race and present them the award with the details of all of the donations that were given over the month. Malibu Jacks has also joined forces with young Holbrook’s endeavor and will be offering "free play" for people who donate a bag of animal food.
“I am so extremely thankful as what started in the heart of an 11-year-old has grown into a community partnership. Celest Kouns from Five-Star/Malibu Jack's is such a community hero. When she heard about this project, she was so incredibly generous to get Malibu Jack's as a collection site and offering free-play cards to those who donate. I know I'm extremely biased about our community. But I do not regret it for one second. I love our community. my family loves this community. and we want to make sure we do our best to help it grow in healthy ways. Thank you, Boyd County for helping my son Carson Joseph (CarJoe) learn that great things can happen when we work together!!” an excited Holbrook explained.
With AARF and Boyd County Animal Shelter’s new partnership about to launch both Holbrook’s are extremely excited for what the future holds. “We think that this is a great time to help the new partnership by hopefully reaching our goal of more than 10,000 pounds of animal food and $10,000,” shared both dad and son. Holbrook’s father went on to add, “I know I'm extremely biased about our community. But I do not regret it for one second. I love our community... my family loves this community... and we want to make sure we do our best to help it grow in healthy ways. Thank you, Boyd County for helping my son Carson Joseph (CarJoe) learn that great things can happen when we work together!!”
So, if you are a lover of animals and community alike this is the perfect opportunity for you to get involved and really make a difference. No donation is too big or too small and all will be very much appreciated and just in case you needed a little more convincing check out what this kindhearted 6th grader had to say … “This fundraiser is super important to me because it makes sure that animals get enough food as they stay at the new animal shelter or at AARF before they get adopted by a family who will love them and care for them. I'm really thankful that so many people care about our local animals and want to make sure they have a safe future. So, if anyone is considering supporting by donating food or money, I want to say thank you!” So, there you have it folks… change driven by empathy for others is what you get when a sixth grader and a community come together!
