Donation made to K-9 shelter in memory of Dr. David Newton

The late Dr. David Newton was an animal lover.

That's why, the business he founded, Carbon-Schuylkill Endoscopy Center in Lehighton, decided to honor him by following in his footsteps.

On Tuesday, the employees presented Bruce May, Carbon County animal warden, with a check in the amount of $165. This money will be used to help cover the county K-9 shelter's emergency medical services and vaccines.

"We wanted to donate money to the animals in honor of Dr. Newton, who passed away in April 2006," said Marie Kurchak, nurse administrator at Carbon-Schuylkill Endoscopy Center. "He was the founder of this business and an avid animal lover."

She explained that the company, which consists of 10 employees and an anesthesia department, began its Casual Days drive earlier this year. Each Thursday, the employees had the opportunity to dress down and pay $1 toward the fund.

By the end of the year, they had collected $330. Half of that went to the K-9 shelter and the remaining $165 went to the Toys for Tots program.

Kurchak said this is the first year Carbon-Schuylkill Endoscopy Center collected for charitable organizations, and they plan to continue with the program.

Upon receiving the check, which was made out to Lehighton Animal Hospital c/o K-9 Shelter, May said he was grateful for the community's support.

"This will be going into our account at Lehighton Animal Hospital," he explained. "We're very grateful for this."

If you would like to donate to the Carbon County K-9 Shelter, May said there are two ways to do it.

Residents can either donate to the shelter through the Lehighton Animal Hospital, or by giving it straight to the shelter, located at 63 Broad St., Nesquehoning. Checks should specify that the money is for the K-9 Shelter.

"We're very grateful for the people who donate to the shelter," May said. "We could always use the money (to help the animals)."