Join Your TownLifestyle 
By Jillian Lazzaro
Colby Newman of North Attleborough made a new best friend as he is surrounded with donations to the North Attleborough Animal Shelter. Newman asked that donations be made to the shelter in place of gifts for his birthday.
Colby's Cause
Wed Jul 11, 2007, 11:14 AM EDT
Most four-year olds consider a birthday the perfect time of year to rake in the toys, sweets and goodies. Maybe, if they’re real lucky, they'll get a pet. Most kids, let alone four-year old kids, don't ask to forego the presents for a little charity work. And most parents, if approached by a young son about donating their presents, wouldn't believe him.
Unless you're Kimberly Fox. For the last couple of years Fox has watched her six-year old son, Gavon, give the toys he received at his birthday parties to Toys-For-Tots. Understandably, her youngest son, Colby Newman, would take up the same cause as his older brother.
However, four-year old Colby is a devoted animal lover. Over the years, they've taken in numerous pets, including a hamster, a fish, two turtles, a dog and a cat.
He loves staying with his aunt, who owns a farm in Wrentham. And most of all, he thrives on frequent trips to the numerous zoos in the area.
"When we go to the zoo," Fox says, "he wants to get in the cages with the animals."
It wasn't hard for Colby to decide how to spend his birthday.
Fox organized a birthday party, inviting his classmates and their parents. She hired an animal adventure expert who brought an alligator, a skunk, and lizards. And, at Colby's request, instead of presents, on Saturday June 30, Colby's 30 guests arrived with donations for the North Attleborough Animal Shelter.
When asked about her son's generosity, Fox answered, "This is what he wanted. There were 30 guests. He doesn't need 30 presents."
The donations included cat food, dog food, treats, animal toys, blankets, cleaners and gift certificates to grocery stores.
On July 5, Colby delivered the donations to the very grateful North Attleborough Animal Control Officer Karen Fontneau.
Colby plans to ask for Animal Shelter donations for his birthdays in the future.
Anyone interested in making donations to the animal shelter can send checks, payable to the North Attleborough Animal Shelter, to: Town of North Attleborough, Attn: Animal Shelter, 43 South Washington St., North Attleborough, MA 02760.
