On Saturday, Stryker Shimel turned seven. However, this year the young boy didn’t ask for presents for himself. Instead, he had the idea to ask for items that can be donated to a local SPCA shelter. His family, friends, and even some local businesses all decided to help pitch in. 

Stryker’s mother, Cristal, says her son was inspired to help the animals when he saw a SPCA commercial on the television. She says her son asked her if they could adopt all the animals without a home, and when he was told that wasn’t possible, they came up with the idea to give back. 

Saturday, Stryker and his parents dropped off dozens of ‘wish list’ items to the Clearfield SPCA. A donation SPCA workers say is very important to the shelter, since it is completely sustained through donations. 

Stryker spent his afternoon alongside the many cats up for adoption, playing with almost each and every one. His mother says it was a very selfless act for someone so young, and that both she and her husband are very proud of his son. Stryker finished off his special birthday day with a small party at his home, along side his family.