A New Whiteland teenager who has collected over 5,000 items for local pets since 2018, but he’s not stopping there.
The annual fundraiser is back with hopes to collect 3,000 items to this year.
Noah McKeown, 15, began collecting pet items after his beloved dog Harley passed away when he was 10 years old. To carry on the pooch’s legacy, McKeown began a charitable mission to help pets in Johnson County.
Noah Helps Pets, originally called “Noah’s Pet Supply Donation Drive,” is a drive dedicated to collecting various pet items for the benefit of the Johnson County Animal Shelter.
“I wanted to give back to the animal shelter so that way the pets could have the health and the care that they need,” McKeown said. “It originally started with my family getting money, gift cards or nourishing items that year. The next year, they started to reach out to cousins or friends. That eventually grew more and more where their friends would reach out to their friends. Eventually, it became what it is today.”
The amount of donations has risen each year. The fundraiser collected 422 items three years ago, and then 1,900 items the following year.
Thinking that was their peak, McKeown was surprised when they surpassed 2,500 items last year. They look to continue their trend with this year’s goal of 3,000 items.
Several people have already reached out to McKeown regarding donations. He enjoys coming home from school to the myriad of packages and notes at his doorstep.
His 16th birthday is on Jan. 31, but every day feels like a celebration when he gets to open up the packages with Wall-E, a dog that the family rescued in 2020.
Monica McKeown, Noah’s mother continues to be amazed by the generosity toward the pet drive.
“There has been so much support,” she said. “They are strangers just pouring into him and we love it.”
McKeown expressed his gratitude for the community’s support of his passion.
“My dream job is to be a zookeeper,” he said. “It started at a young age for me. I had this special connection or bond to animals. At the end of it, it is all about getting the animals the support and the care that they need.”
The deadline to donate to Noah Helps Pets is Feb. 9. They will also collect donations at the Whiteland Community High School home basketball game versus Indian Creek on Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Needed items for the supply drive include dog and cat treats, toys and food, as well as dog leashes and cat litter. They also need cleaning supplies such as paper towels, laundry detergent and disinfectant wipes. Gift cards to pet stores are also welcome.
Where to donate
Online: Donate via an Amazon Wishlist that can be located by typing noahhelpspets.com. Items can shipped directly to the McKeown household.
In-person: Pet items can be donated at the following locations in Johnson County:
- Hadwell Hardware, 203 IN-135, Trafalgar
- Whit’s Inn, 1020 U.S. 31 South, Whiteland
- Marco’s Pizza, 989 U.S. 31 North, Whiteland and 586 S. State Road 135, Greenwood
- Ryan Barclay at State Farm, 50 Airport Parkway, Suite R, Greenwood
- Brent Clarkston at Edward Jones, 50 Airport Parkway, Suite Q, Greenwood
- Kroger, 5961 N. State Road 135, Greenwood
- Beeson Mechanical, 501 E. Main St., Whiteland
- Highgarden Real Estate, 210 S. Emerson Avenue, Suite D, Greenwood
- 10 Pins, 27 W. Monroe St, Franklin
- Little Bit of Everything, 400 Tracy Road, Suite 7, Whiteland
