Whitehall Township Commissioner Gerard Palagonia was successful in his bid to get the township to donate to Peaceable Kingdom.

Commissioners President Linda Snyder first conducted a poll of the seven commissioners as the discussion centered on how much, if any funds, should be contributed to the animal shelter located on MacArthur Road across from the former Lehigh Valley Dairy. The amounts discussed ranged from $500 to $1,000. The commissioners later voted to donate $1,000, which fell short of the $3,000 to $4,000 Palagonia would have liked to give Peaceable Kingdom.

Palagonia brought up donating to Peaceable Kingdom last fall when the commissioners held budget talks. However, figures never found their way into the 2015 budget.

The board was advised it has a $20,000 allocation in the budget for the Lehigh County Humane Society's animal shelter, which picks up stray animals in the township by request. Peaceable Kingdom is a no-kill shelter, unlike the Lehigh County facility, commissioners said.

Palagonia said he was impressed by the dedication of the volunteers at Peaceable Kingdom. Everything "is clean as a whistle," he said. "Whatever we can give them."

Commissioner Philip Ginder cautioned if donations are given to Peaceable Kingdom, other groups operating animal shelters may also request donations.

He said he would prefer giving to organizations that help people, such as Meals on Wheels.

Commissioner Phillips Armstrong cast the only no vote.

Palagonia said hopefully Peaceable Kingdom will be big enough to expand at its site.