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October 7, 2009

Seal Hero Strikes Again

Martin Welych-Flanagan continues to fight to end Canada's seal hunt

The Humane Society of the United States

Wayne Pacelle and Martin Welych Flanagan

Wayne with "seal saver" Martin Welych Flanagan. Michelle Riley/The HSUS

Nine-year-old Martin Welych-Flanagan took another step toward accomplishing his dream of ending the cruel Canadian commercial seal hunt last week. He traveled from his home in Syracuse, N.Y., to Gaithersburg, Md., to donate $2,500 to the HSUS Protect Seals campaign.

Martin was spotlighted on the Humane Heroes page of Humane Society Youth's Kind News Online for his unique club, which has raised more than $1,000 for the baby seals.

Martin had been designing and selling bead bracelets to earn money for a Lego set, but when he found out that his favorite animals were being hunted for their fur, he decided to use his talent on their behalf.

He and some classmates made bracelets with messages such as "Save the Seals" and "No Fur" and sold them for $1 each ($2 for custom orders.) Martin's even sold bracelets to seal lovers as far away as Texas and California who read about him on the Kind News website.

Martin won the grand prize in Disney's "The Littlest Volunteer" contest, which came with a $5,000 award.

He knew exactly what he was going to do with it: He would give half to his school and half to The HSUS for the baby seals. Martin was all smiles that Friday morning as he proudly showed his designs to CEO Wayne Pacelle, presenting him with a bright yellow and orange bracelet that coordinated nicely with the blue, $2500 check to help save the seals.