The world can always become a better place, and kids are there to restore our hope in it. Their purity and honest desire to help are rare in the world of adults. As adults, we seem to have lost their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm, so children can teach us all valuable lessons about life and love.
In 2018, after saving more than 1300 rescue dogs from euthanasia, Roman McConn, 7 at the time, from Augusta, Georgia, received the ASPCA award!
His desire to help animals is not new. When he was only three, Roman asked his guests to donate to the local dog shelter instead of buying him new toys and cars for his 4th birthday.
Over time, his passion only grew bigger, and, together with his mother Jennifer, he helped local kill shelters to relocate 31 dogs from Texas to Washington, and to find their permanent homes there.
They named the quest the ‘Project Freedom Ride’, and Jennifer regularly records Roman playing with the dogs and shares the videos on their Facebook page, which has over 64K followers.
Roman says:
“I think it’s very important for the dogs I meet that I give them the best chance at finding the right home that they need. I think a lot of other kids should be doing what I’m doing.”
Due to his selfless efforts, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rewarded the kind-hearted Roman with the ASPCA award and named him the 2018’s Kid of the Year!
He and his family were treated to a special trip to New York, where he presented a speech and explained the aim of his organization, and his desire to ensure the welfare of animals.
The mother and son are still working tirelessly to help dogs get adopted.
According to their project’s website:
“Established in December of 2016, Project Freedom Ride is connecting unwanted, abandoned dogs (and a few cats) who may otherwise be bound for euthanasia in Texas and Georgia with Families, Rescues, and Humane Societies in the Pacific Northwest.
On December 6th, 2016 Project Freedom Ride had its first transport of 31 dogs from Texas to Washington.
Since then, Project Freedom Ride has saved almost 2,000 dogs (and some cats) from euthanasia. We have grown very organically over the years which is what we love. We believe people recognize the love, compassion, and hard work of our “group” and want to get behind our cause. “
Speaking about his son, Jennifer says:
“He’s unique. He’s super empathetic and compassionate and he is like a ball of fire all wrapped into one, so he’s definitely a lot to keep up with.”
Little boy, you are an awesome human being!
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