Secaucus Cub Scout Collects Supplies for Local Animal Shelters

10-year-old Kyle Stradford is gathering donations to support the Secaucus and Jersey City animal shelters.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a young boy holding a donation box in front of a blurred animal shelter scene, with warm pools of light and color surrounding him, conveying a sense of compassion and community.A Cub Scout's compassionate efforts to support local animal shelters bring a sense of community and hope.Jersey City Today

A Secaucus Cub Scout named Kyle Stradford, who is in the fifth grade at Huber Street School, is collecting blankets, towels, and other supplies for the Secaucus Animal Shelter and the Jersey City Animal Shelter as part of a service project required to graduate from Cub Scouts. Kyle created an Amazon registry and flyers to spread the word about the donation drive.

Why it matters

Cub Scouts are required to complete a service project to advance, and Kyle's donation drive for local animal shelters demonstrates how young people can make a meaningful impact on their communities. The Secaucus and Jersey City animal shelters rely on public donations to care for stray and surrendered pets.

The details

Kyle, who is 10 years old and in the Arrow of Light rank in Cub Scouts, must complete this service project in order to graduate from Cub Scouts in June. He created an Amazon registry and QR code on his own, and also made flyers to spread the word about the donation drive. Kyle is especially passionate about helping the Jersey City Animal Shelter, which provides pet food assistance to owners who cannot afford to feed their animals, rather than requiring them to surrender their pets.

  • Kyle must complete his service project by June 2026 in order to graduate from Cub Scouts.
  • The donation drive is currently underway, with drop-off locations open at the Secaucus Rec Center, Secaucus Library, Secaucus Town Hall, and Mike Gonnelli Senior Center.

The players

Kyle Stradford

A 10-year-old fifth grade student at Huber Street School in Secaucus, New Jersey, who is a Cub Scout in the Arrow of Light rank and is collecting donations for local animal shelters as part of a required service project to graduate from Cub Scouts.

Secaucus Animal Shelter

The animal shelter located in Secaucus, New Jersey that is in need of donated blankets, towels, and other supplies.

Jersey City Animal Shelter

The animal shelter located in Jersey City, New Jersey that provides pet food assistance to owners who cannot afford to feed their animals, rather than requiring them to surrender their pets.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Cub Scouts must do a service project in order to graduate, and this Cub Scout, Kyle Stradford, is collecting items for the Secaucus Animal Shelter.”

— Carly Baldwin, Author

What’s next

Kyle must present his service project to his Cub Scout pack before the June 2026 graduation deadline.

The takeaway

This story highlights how young people like Kyle can make a positive impact on their local communities through service projects. The donation drive for the Secaucus and Jersey City animal shelters demonstrates the power of grassroots efforts to support important causes and help those in need.