Henry Bryant (fourth from left), 6, of Southgate, who raised $2,200 with a lemonade stand for the Wyandotte Animal Shelter, is honored July 6 prior to the Southgate City Council meeting by the mayors of the four cities the facility serves: Robert DeSana of Wyandotte (left), Andrew Swift of Riverview, Gail McLeod of Allen Park and Joseph Kuspa of Southgate, as well as Southgate City Manager Dan Marsh (right).
Henry Bryant (left), 6, of Southgate, who raised $2,200 with a lemonade stand for the Wyandotte Animal Shelter, which serves Wyandotte, Allen Park, Riverview and Southgate, receives a plaque July 6 from Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa prior to the city council meeting.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – The mayors of four cities gathered July 6 to honor 6-year-old Henry Bryant of Southgate, who raised $2,200 with a lemonade stand to benefit his local animal shelter.
The Wyandotte Animal Shelter, which serves Allen Park, Riverview, Southgate and its host city, drew numerous well-wishers to Southgate City Hall prior to its city council meeting, to honor Henry’s initiative and generosity.
Mayors Robert DeSana of Wyandotte, Andrew Swift of Riverview and Gail McLeod of Allen Park joined Mayor Joseph Kuspa of Southgate in honoring the lad, and presenting him with a plaque.
Henry, who will be a first-grade student at Southgate’s Grogan Elementary School in the fall, was accompanied by parents Michael and Shelley Bryant; his sister, Carleigh Green; and his grandmother, Beth Kerr. Shelter volunteers and a contingent of motorcyclists who support the shelter were also on hand.
Kuspa said Henry is wise beyond his years.
“He is an average 6-year-old boy who took it upon himself to do something very special for this community and several communities Downriver as part of the Downriver Animal Control agency,” Kuspa said. “It is a multi-city award. It is an outstanding citizen award, and has all of the city seals on here, as well as the mayors’ signatures.”
Kuspa said Henry is a fixture at the adoption center, where he has gotten to know the personnel.
“The recognition celebrates your extraordinary efforts to see all of our shelter pets stay healthy and join an adoptive family,” he said. “Congratulations, young man.”
Swift gave Henry an official city of Riverview pin.
“We only give it out to very special people, and I think you qualify,” he said.
Kuspa said Henry has set a great example for his peers, and praised all the shelter volunteers, whom he said do a great job to help ensure that the animals get adopted into safe and healthy homes.