Essex County Twins: Skip Our Birthday Gifts, Donate To Animals

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A pair of 5-year-old siblings in Essex County recently offered a touching show of support for their local animal shelter, asking guests at their birthday party to skip the gifts and make a donation to aid some in-need dogs and cats instead.

On June 22, twins Arthur and Franki Rose Smith – who attend Rainbow Montessori School in Bloomfield – celebrated their 5th birthday at Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell.

The Smith twins made their intention clear on invitations to the party: “In lieu of gifts, please bring a check made out to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.”

Guests at the party responded in a big way, pitching in $1,000, family members told Patch.

Learn more about how to make donations to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

The twin’s mom, Fairview School Principal Ginamarie Mignone, posted a note of appreciation on social media to all those who donated.

On July 20, the siblings hand-delivered their donation to the shelter, which welcomed them with open arms.

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