Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Critter-Campers Crafting because they Care
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2018) – Throughout the months of July and August, 7th and 8th grade students taking part in Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Summer Critter Camp have been not only creating special bonds with animals; they have been extending their friendship to area youth who have experienced homelessness. All summer, Center “Critter-campers” have been making colorful friendship bracelets out of string to give to children whose families receive assistance from Interfaith Community Services.
On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, Center education and therapy pets, Junior Volunteers and Critter Campers will present the dozens of special friendship bracelets to children served by Interfaith Community Services during the Center’s regular Pets Without Walls visit. While there, they will also do fun activities and crafts with the kids.
“They really liked the idea,” said Veronica Walker, Education Instructor at the Center. “They wanted to give back.” Walker said Summer Critter Campers have been inspired by the project and have even made the friendship bracelets at home and on their down-time while at camp.
“We’ve all been working really hard because we all believe that it’s very important to show these [kids] that we are their friends,” explained Critter-camper Rachel Silverstein, 12. “We’re making these because we care.”
The Center’s Aug. 15 Pets Without Walls visit will be to Interfaith Community Services’ Family Housing; a place for people transitioning out of homelessness and into permanent homes. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Spay and Neuter Mobile Clinic will be on site from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing vaccinations, health checks, spays and neuters and other services to beloved pets of these resident families in transition.
Pets Without Walls is the Center’s newest program, founded last November, to provide pet food (through AniMeals), pet supplies, healthcare and other services to the furry companions cared for by San Diego’s homeless. The additional children-focused activities, animal therapy visit and friendship bracelet gifting have been inspired by Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Humane Education’s unique curriculum focused on caring and sharing the planet with others.
MEDIA CONTACT: PR & Communications Director, Jessica Gercke at JessicaG@animalcenter.org or PR & Communications Manager Fernanda Lopez at FernandaL@anmialcenter.org.