Episcopal School students celebrate birthday by helping puppies

Two best friends decided to spend their birthday helping another kind of best friend.

Andrew Konomos and Dylan Vermillion, two Episcopal School of Knoxville third graders, recently celebrated their 9th birthdays together, Jennifer Konomos, Andrew’s mother, said.

“Instead of gifts, the boys re-quested supplies for SOS Beagles and Recycled Best Friends,” Kon-omos said. ”These rescue [organizations] arrange foster homes for dogs and puppies from 15 core kill shelters and coordinate transport throughout the United States.

“They specialize in beagles, but they rescue all breeds.”

“The reason I donated to them was Miss Beth [Cunningham Schultheis, Recycled Best Friends director] is my friend and I love puppies,” Andrew said.

Recycled Best Friends dropped by ESK on April 8 to surprise the boys and thank them for the donations, Konomos said.

Children in the boys’ class had fun with the puppies, she said.

“The rescue is always in need of newspapers, hand sanitizer and puppy or dog food,” Konomos said.

To become a foster family or donate, send an e-mail to bcs4040@yahoo.com or call 865-865-607-1990.