We’re constantly thinking about how we can help stray animals and the shelters where they live. So, we’ve launched a campaign called “Warmth for Paws.” The goal of this campaign is to involve as many schools as possible in Klaipėda (and perhaps even in other cities) and, with the help of children, to sew as many beds as possible for the animals living in shelters. As is well known, bedding in shelters wears out very quickly, so it needs to be replaced often, and buying new bedding is a real luxury for shelters. Bedding is donated only by the occasional benefactor. As a result, animals in shelters usually sleep on blankets, which are certainly not the softest, warmest, or most comfortable beds.
STUDENTS AT THE “VERDENĖ” PRO-GYMNASIUM IN KLAIPĖDA SEWED 21 PILLOWS IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS
On March 24, representatives of our foundation were invited to a gathering of students at “Verdenė” School, during which they carried out the campaign we had proposed. All week long, the students brought unwanted sweaters, pillows, and blankets to school. Over 40 students gathered for the pillow-making workshop, where they sewed a total of 21 pillows in just two hours. Since we had suggested sewing the beds during craft class, we certainly didn’t expect the school to set aside a separate time slot for it when we arrived! The children showed a great deal of interest in providing help and warmth to animals in need; they realized that by dedicating just a couple of hours, they could bring warmth to at least one animal. So, we thought it would be great to continue this campaign and encourage other schools in Klaipėda to join in.
A FRIENDLY COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOLS WITH A BEAUTIFUL GOAL. EVERYONE WINS
After implementing the campaign at the first school, we announced a competition among other schools and want to find out—which Klaipėda school, or perhaps even a school from another city, can sew more beds? Think you can sew more than 21? Hooray! Think the bar is set too high? Try anyway! In this campaign, everyone wins. Nowhere else will you win that good feeling you get when you provide help to those who need it most. Contact us and we will definitely help you make it happen.
HOW YOUR COMMUNITY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS CAMPAIGN
Campaign “Warmth for Little Paws” gives schoolchildren the opportunity to easily sew a little bed for a puppy by following the instructional video provided. Think the materials will cost money? We can confidently say that the materials cost nothing! The main things you need for a high-quality pillow are a SWEATER, any kind of FILLING, thread, and a needle. After all, everyone has worn-out and unwanted sweaters at home, and it’s no big deal to donate an old pillow set aside for guests. Isn’t it wonderful to give an old, unwanted garment a second life and provide warmth to someone who really needs it? You can carry out this initiative either during craft classes or by setting aside a separate time after school (as the “Verdenė” School did), since it takes one child 1 to 2 hours to sew a single sleeping bag. I’m attaching an instructional video showing how we sew the sleeping bags. We’re also attaching photos from the pillow-sewing event organized by Verdenė Pro-Gymnasium in Klaipėda. If you’d like, we can come to your school and help organize the campaign, just as we did for “Verdenė” School. We look forward to your response and hope that your community will become part of this wonderful initiative!