Lassie, Dakota Fanning Help Save the Children Event

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Save the Children Animal Ambassador Lassie delights children at a Save the Children “Prep Rally” at the Kingsley House Head Start Program in New Orleans. Photo by Lee Celano/Getty. (PRNewsFoto/Save the Children)

A dog who gained fame on the big and small screen by rescuing those in need recently stepped into her real life role as the animal ambassador for Save The Children to help children in New Orleans feel safe as the city marked the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Save the Children Animal Ambassador Lassie carries a disaster supply kit into a Save the Children “Prep Rally” at the Treme Community Center in New Orleans on Thursday. Photo by Lee Celano/Getty. (PRNewsFoto/Save the Children)

Lassie hosted several “Prep Rallies,” including one at Kingsley House Head Start program and one at the Treme Community Center, where she received help from Hollywood star Dakota Fanning. A day of play with a higher purpose, little ones had the chance to run with their new famous four-legged friend in a disaster supplies relay race, while the Twilight saga star taught children the preparedness pledge and passed out backpack kits complete with such kid-friendly disaster supplies as a comfort item and a notebook for coloring or writing.

At the Prep Rally four-year-old Renee said: “I gave Lassie a hug and got a red bag with a teddy bear to keep me safe.”

Save the Children Animal Ambassador Lassie delights children at a Save the Children “Prep Rally” at the Kingsley House Head Start Program in New Orleans. Photo by Lee Celano/Getty. (PRNewsFoto/Save the Children)

Save the Children not only offered care and hope to those affected by Hurricane Katrina during those dark days a decade ago, the organization also ran long-term programs to help the hearts of children across the Gulf Coast region heal from the nightmare. Since 2005, Save the Children has provided aid to 1 million children whose lives were touched by the tragic event.

For information regarding preparedness resources for families:

• visit www.savethechildren.org/GetReady

Photo Credit: PRNewsFoto/Save the Children