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A group of Winchester middle school students gathered a special donation to the Clark County Animal Shelter in honor of an extraordinary teacher.

Betty Anes is in her 35th year of teaching and is the intervention math teacher at Baker Intermediate School. She is retiring at the end of the current school year.

To honor Anes, a known animal lover, the Baker chapter of the National Juinor Beta Club gathered pet food and supplies to donate in her name to the Clark County Animal Shelter.

“We just wanted to show the kids in the Beta Club how to give back to the community and help out others in need,” said the club’s sponsor, Lisa Reece.

The students collected three carts worth of food and treats for dogs and cats, kitty litter, bleach to clean the shelter, and trash and zip lock bags.

The donation happened Friday, and Anes was visibly thrilled by the gesture when she received the news.

“I think it is touching, and it is delightful because they understand that I have a great love for animals,” Anes said.

The veteran teacher has a soft spot for all animals and is her neighborhood dog walker.

“I love dogs and walk a lot of dogs for my neighbors because I enjoy dogs, and I just walk them,” Anes said.

In Reece’s opinion, paying tribute to Anes was an easy decision.

“She is an incredible teacher. Her love for teaching and students is amazing, and she is an example to so many in this building and throughout the town,” she said.

Representatives from the animal shelter said they were appreciative of the donation.

“We are grateful to get this donation today, and we are really glad that the kids got to help the community,” said animal control officer Jada McKenzie. “We are glad we got to come and see them after they worked so hard to get all of this.”