News

Puppy for elementary school student
By Karen Robes, Staff Press, Long Beach Press-Telegram
 

LAKEWOOD - For the last two years, Gompers Elementary School first-grader Joe Aubuchon has wanted a puppy so bad that any money he got went straight to a "puppy account."

But when the 6-year-old saw on television how Hurricane Katrina separated families, he handed over his $217 to Gompers and sparked a school-wide relief effort that inspired his fellow students to donate $1,350.

For his generosity, Joe was rewarded his dearest wish Wednesday.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and Long Beach mayoral candidate Bob Foster surprised the student with a white, purebred German shepherd puppy in front of the entire first-grade class in the auditorium of the Briercrest Avenue school.