A GoFundMe campaign established by a Point Loma teacher to replace more than $1,000 raised by her students that was stolen from her vehicle has succeeded.

Fifth-grade teacher Jenny Merrill said her students raised $1,300 through a “Penny Wars” fundraiser benefiting the San Diego Humane Society as part of a class project this semester. Sadly, when Merrill went to a local bank to see if they would take the coins and bills in exchange for larger bills or a check, someone broke into her car, stealing her laptop, iPad, and the SD Humane Society funds that had been raised through the class fundraiser. The following day, Merrill started her GoFundMe campaign.

“Our students put in such hard work and they were so excited over the money our schools’ families and community was able to donate,” reads Merrill’s fundraiser on GoFundMe. “Although I am upset about my personal belongings and having to fix my car window, I am completely devastated and heartbroken over losing that money. Not only will my students feel let down, but we now cannot fulfill the donation we had promised to the Humane Society. We are hoping to raise back the money we lost so the students can give their full donation.”

As of Dec. 12, the “Cause for Paws Fundraiser” had raised $3,370 far exceeding its $1,300 goal.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated,” responded Merrill. “You all have helped us exceed our donation goal for the Humane Society and my students are blown away. They were so upset when the money was taken and it was hard to get them invested in our project again. Now they are so excited to keep planning our pet adoption event.”

Added Merrill: “We will be using any of the additional funds to not only increase our promised donation to the Humane Society but also donate to other local shelters and to help support our ‘Cause for Paws Adoption Event’ at NTC Park on Saturday, Jan. 27.”