The efforts of a Lake Hauto woman will create a special Christmas for homeless dogs and cats at the Hillside SPCA in Pottsville.

Lisa Kopunek of Lake Drive conducted a one-person campaign for donations to the SPCA. Her efforts were inspired by a stray kitten that found its way into her heart.Her efforts resulted in the collection of $900 in addition to donated dog and cat food, blankets, pet toys, cleaning supplies and pet treats.Besides residents of Lake Hauto and some other individuals making donations, she said her employer also was generous in contributing to her efforts.Kopunek has a Dodge Durango that she drives to work."My goal was to fill the truck," she said. "It was the 'fill the truck food drive.' "So full is her vehicle of donated items that there barely was room for any passenger to accompany her when she took the items to the SPCA today.She is employed as a manager at Damon's Grill in Hazleton."The people at Damon's and in Lake Hauto are kind, big-hearted people," she said.Kopunek's efforts took root in late summer when five tiny kittens appeared in the area of the dumpsters at Damon's."They were tiny kittens," she said. "We tried to capture them but they were so small. Some girlfriends and I took care of them until they got big."She said every day one waited on the curb, then tried to follow her into work.She wanted to take that kitten home, but her husband, Mark, is a dog lover and didn't want cats.One stormy night in October, with heavy rain falling, "my husband surprised me with a carrier and told me to bring home Rocky. That's what I named that little cat. I called it Rocky because it was the smallest one and a fighter."It was very dark when she got to the dumpster and she scooped up what she thought was Rocky. When she got home, the cat darted out of the carrier and she realized she grabbed the wrong one. She named this one Mickey.The next day, she went back and got Rocky.Unfortunately, Rocky didn't survive. He died six days later.Mickey still resides in her house.She took the remaining three to the Hillside SPCA, where they were placed until homes were found.It was her first visit to Hillside, and it was eye-opening."It was heartbreaking, but my heart was full of love at the same time," she said. "I spent two hours there. I left full of cat hair and dog saliva. It was such an amazing experience, so I decided to do a fund drive for them."She printed up 75 fliers asking for donations, and took them door-to-door in the Lake Hauto development. Later, she printed another letter - a reminder.The result was phenomenal.She said both she and Mark have grown to love Mickey.They also have a rescue dog, a Jack Russell and cairn terrier mix named Nitro.A native of Chicago, she said she was always an animal lover and almost always had a dog in her household.Kopunek said more donations are anticipated."I have such wonderful friends," she said. "Everybody in Lake Hauto welcomed us with open arms."Kopunek said, "This is what Christmastime means to me. I only wish Christmas was in the summer, because it was so cold walking around with the fliers.""I hope the people read this and that it makes them feel so much better," she said. "We can't forget about pets. If I could take them all, I would."She said, "My whole life I had pets; mostly dogs. But I found that my new best friend is a little destructive kitty named Mickey."She already has thank-you cards to send to those who contributed to her efforts.She also intends to have another fund drive next year.For more information, contact Kopunek at 570-645-3030 or via Facebook or Messenger, "Lisa Bolin Kopunek."