WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- A preschool class of 4-year-olds lent their small hands to help three charities in a big way Monday.

The efforts of preschoolers at the Jewish Community Center in West Hartford will help police dogs, Connecticut Children's Medical Center and a homeless shelter.

The children were thanked Monday with a parade of police dogs, each sporting a protective vest. The children raised money over the past few weeks to help support the three causes.

One group helped by the students was the Connecticut Vest a Dog group, which collects donations to purchase protective vests for K-9 units.

"I love it. I think that kids would get into charity at an early age," said Phil Rothstein of CT Vest a Dog. "It's a wonderful lesson -- a life lesson -- saving money for charity and actually seeing what their money goes for."

The school's teachers said the children enjoyed seeing the dogs and what their money went to purchase and that they were excited about having an opportunity to do something kind for someone else.

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