Soon-To-Be Centenarian's Birthday Celebration Goes To The Dogs

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Longtime Chicago Heights resident Clara Robertson has devoted much of her 99 years on this earth to caring for animals and making sure that pets who do not have a full-time home feel like they do.

So, when Robertson celebrates her 100th birthday later this month at the Tinley Park care community where she now lives, dogs – and more specifically Robertson’s rescue dog, Sasha, will be a large part of the milestone event.

Robertson will celebrate her birthday on Jan. 21 at Porter Place, the memory care center where she now resides with Sasha. But rather than be showered with gifts that often accompany such celebrations, Robertson is asking friends, family and others to make a donation to local animal shelters in honor of her 100 years.

Robertson is hoping to collect 100 pet items that can be turned over to shelters who are often short of essentials to care for the pets that are housed at their facilities.

Desired items for donation include:

• Heavy-duty garbage bags
• Paper towels
• Dog pee pads
• Bleach
• Stainless steel food/water bowls
• Dog/cat leashes
• Cat litter
• Canned cat and kitten food (any brand)
• Purina chicken and rice dry dog food

Items will be collected through Jan. 22, the day after Robertson celebrates her birthday and all items can be dropped off at Porter Place, which is located at 17833 Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.