NEW YORK – Students from a Staten Island school raised money to support a New York pet charity and the funds they raised have helped pay for surgery on a dog named Bruno, who was injured after evacuating from his home that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Students at Elias Bernstein Intermediate School 7 raised more than $1,300 for Frankie’s Friends, a charitable pet foundation, by sponsoring about 20 teachers in a 5k race that was held hours before Hurricane Sandy made landfall.

Teachers and students from Elias Bernstein IS 7 routinely look for ways to give back to the community. After a recent incident in which their principal’s dog required surgery, the school decided to raise money for Frankie’s Friends, which helps families who otherwise could not afford life-saving emergency care for their pets.

Bruno lived in Howard Beach. After evacuating their home, which was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, Bruno, his “dad,” and another family dog have been living in their car. But Bruno, a Staffordshire bull terrier, got loose and was hit by a car. Bruno required surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Queens to repair a complex fracture to his front left limb.

Because of the financial assistance the man received through Frankie’s Friends, which included the help provided by the students and faculty Elias Bernstein IS 7, Bruno and his family can use their scarce resources to find a place to rent.

If you’d like to help save the life of a pet whose family cannot afford the cost of medical care visit www.frankiesfriends.com or call 888.465.PETS.

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