ANDERSON — It takes cash to keep critters alive. That lesson was explained so well to students at Eastside Elementary School that they collected $1,239.86 for the Madison County Humane Society.

The society, 2219 Crystal St., has struggled financially after a former treasurer was arrested in March for allegedly bilking the organization of $65,000. There were concerns that the organization, with an annual budget of about $200,000, wouldn’t survive the year.

“Right now, I think we could probably stay open until the end of the year,” said Richard Chandler, director of the Humane Society.

He was on hand to accept the check from the students.

“If the contributions keep coming in like they are now I think we’ll be OK. I hope they don’t stop,” Chandler said.

The call for cash turned into a schoolwide “Coins for Critters” project at Eastside. The idea was created by second-graders like Kalin Hubble.

“When they have no money, they still need to have shelter for the dogs and cats and I love animals,” said Kalin, former owner of two dogs and a cat.

“People need to help the Humane Society to help the dogs,” said second-grader Lindsey Hughes, owner of three dogs and a cat.

“You should take care of animals in the Humane Society whenever you want because they need your help,” said Ethan Dodson, a second-grader whose house cat, Dexter, came from there.

The project developed after students read about community awareness and being involved in their community, said second-grade teacher Kristi Worley who coordinated the effort. Applying the donations to the Humane Society — and pets — helped students understand the need for community involvement.

Students then wrote letters to the community about the organization.

The $1,239 check was one of the highest donations from a school, said Chandler. He accepted the check with board member Susie Schieve and her Jack Russell terrier, Punkin.

“I think this is unbelievable. It shows what you can do little by little by little. The teacher said they actually emptied their piggy banks,” said Schieve.

“Kids are taking on what parents should be doing,” Chandler said. “They’re starting young. I think that’s great that they have the love for the animals that they would do something like that.”

At his own home, Chandler has 13 dogs and seven cats.