Animals at the Central Nebraska Humane Society got an early Christmas present from some Grand Island elementary students on Tuesday.

"We had our schools raise money for all the animals and now the Humane Society can go out and buy toys and all that with the money we raised," said Knickrehm 5th Grader Mallory Lemburg.

Lemburg and other 5th graders in a leadership group organized "Pennies for Paws," and students from Knickrehm, Dodge, and Westlawn raised $1,000 for the local shelter.

The students used some of the money to buy items on the Humane Society's wish list, then delivered the wrapped presents in person.

"You don't have to be a certain age to make a difference, and this is kindergarten through sixth grades making a huge difference," said Central Nebraska Humane Society Director Laurie Dethloff.

The Humane Society says they appreciate the supplies, but knowing these kids are taking active leadership roles to make a difference means even more.

"When they come out here and they see the difference that they've made it makes them want to get involved because from what the teachers have told me they say 'what's next?'" said CNHS Board President Gail Yenny. "Once you get kids involved in something like this it's hard not to keep them from going and moving on to the next project."

Officials told students it's leadership like theirs that makes places like the Humane Society possible.

"Hopefully this experience was so positive for them that they will get involved in things that they get passionate about as they're older," said Dethloff.

CNHS says projects like these are also a good lesson for kids in taking care of pets so they don't become abused and neglected animals.

The shelter is at capacity this holiday season, but says it has been a good year for finding forever homes. CNHS is about 30 adoptions away from their 1,000 adoption goal for the year.