|
They may be too young to perform hands-on care of a full-grown great horned owl, but local youth are putting their energy and enthusiasm to work to help save the wild patients of the California Wildlife Center (CWC). Students at Calabasas’ Calmont School and other young people have found creative ways to raise awareness, and funds.
The money generated by these youthful wildlife enthusiasts is needed to purchase food, medicines and general supplies for our busy hospital. Due to the economic downturn, we have had to scale back important programs such as in-school wildlife education and some community outreach events, to ensure that its limited budget is routed towards essential programs only. These include its Baby Care Unit (which, with the arrival of spring, has kicked into high gear), Intensive Care Unit, and surgical and X-ray facilities.
Calmont School students have been long-time supporters of ours. Many of the children and their parents first became acquainted with our organization by bringing an injured or orphaned animal in for emergency care, and several Calmont classes have attended tours and wildlife presentations at our facilities. Excited by the chance to help save wildlife, the students have enthusiastically raised funds (nearly $700 from their recent bake sale) and brought needed supplies from our ‘Wish List’ to us.
And the Calmont kids aren’t alone in their enthusiasm for wildlife:
- As their community service project, Lindero Canyon Middle School eighth-graders Krista Lamorie-Foote and Jane Chen held a “Save n’ Bake for Wildlife” bake sale at the Von’s supermarket in Woodland Hills. The two-hour fundraiser on Sunday, March 29, netted $165 for CWC, and the girls acted as boosters for the organization, handing out CWC magnets and displaying educational photos of wildlife.
- For his ninth birthday, Rafe Noonan of Monte Nido asked party guests to bring an item from CWC’s “wish list,” or a donation that could be put towards the purchase of a gift card. Thanks to Rafe’s generous request, he and his mother, Jennifer, delivered a bag of supplies to us, along with a $150 Costco gift card and a $50 Ralph’s gift card.
- And Joan Grano, of Seven Arrows Elementary School in Pacific Palisades, is organizing a major fundraiser for CWC. Joan’s plans for the event are ambitious, but well-conceived: In addition to collecting donations, Joan and Seven Arrows will host educational workshops with activities such as how to formulate nutritional water for hummingbirds; making bird feeders out of pinecones, birdseed and peanut butter; a bake sale; and of course, a presentation by a CWC representative. Recognizing the serious need for funds that the organization is dealing with, Joan has scheduled her fundraiser for Friday, May 1 – May Day!
Since January, we have been in a financial “crunch.” But, says Victoria Harris, CWC Executive Director, “Thanks to the support of our local communities, including these wonderful kids, our doors have remained open so that CWC can continue offering the wildlife emergency services local residents have come to depend upon.”
Thanks to everyone who supports our efforts – to give our wildlife a second chance.
|
