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All Darryl Berry wanted for Christmas was to give back to his furry friends of Butler County.

Students, excited by the idea, filled his music classroom at Cherokee Elementary School with bleach, cleaning brushes, cat food and dog bones in response to his request for animal supplies to support the Animal Friends Humane Society in Trenton.

Berry, who said he normally balks at the idea of submitting gift ideas to the Parent Teacher Association, was the first this year to submit his list. PTA volunteers placed the ideas on a Christmas tree in the school lobby, so parents had ideas of what to buy. Some teachers asked for school supplies, gift cards or books. Berry said his unconventional list sparked some conversation among students.

"I think it's really nice that instead of getting gifts for himself, he's getting gifts for animals," said fifth-grader Madeline Mendez.

Fifth-grader Catherin Cornwell said she appreciates his generosity and sense of humor.

"He's nice and he makes us all laugh a lot," she said.

Berry said it all goes back to his love for his own pet, Natalie, which he is training to be a reading companion.

"We got our poodle back in the beginning of June, and she was a rescue," he said. "I have a weakness for animals."

Natalie's picture hangs in the front of the room, a small dog sporting "reading" glasses.

"She doesn't have thumbs to put in contacts," Berry typically explains to inquiring students.

And when they question whether the dog can read, he said he just shrugs and points to the glasses.

"That's all the proof they need," Berry said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.