Brandt Neuman

United Hebrew Congregation

To say Brandt Neuman loves dogs is an understatement.  “I have so much compassion for them because they give us unconditional love and only want our love in return.  It hurts my heart to see homeless animals,” he said.

The Neuman family has two Golden Retrievers, Dylan and Lexie, which they acquired from Dirk’s Fund, a dog rescue shelter in Pacific, Mo. When trying to think of a mitzvah project, Brandt wanted to incorporate his love and devotion to animals.  Because Dylan and Lexie brought so much love into his home and Dirk’s Fund runs strictly on donations and volunteers, he wanted to help them out.

Brandt, son of Jodie and Lennie Neuman of Chesterfield, held a collection drive requesting that guests to his bar mitzvah bring any type of dog item to be donated to Dirk’s Fund. Besides the dog food, treats, and toys, checks and gift cards were given as well. So much was collected that the shelter sent a van to pick everything up.

In addition, the centerpieces at Brandt’s party were made out of items that would be donated to the dogs. Everything from dog toys and treats, leashes and collars, were incorporated into the centerpieces.

A student at Parkway Central Middle School, Brandt also spent time volunteering at the shelter. He played with the dogs and got to know some of them. “Some were sad; they had obviously been mistreated,” he said. “You could tell the way they coward away from me.” He never gave up and continued to give them the love and attention they so desperately needed.

“This project made Brandt feel good,” said his mother. “So many people were not aware of this wonderful organization. We know of people that have made donations and also adopted dogs as a result of Brandt’s mitzvah project.

For more information about Dirk’s Fund Shelter, please visit www.dirksfund.com.