Greenfield 'Compassion Project' To Help Animals In Australia

GREENFIELD, WI — On Friday, a Greenfield school gymnasium will be filled with the thrum of sewing machines as students, teachers and volunteers embark on a project to help animals who were injured or lost their parents in the Australian wildfires.

As of early March, 2020, Australian wildfires destroyed nearly 6,000 buildings, killed more than 30 people, decimated more than 72,000 square miles and resulted in nearly one billion animals being killed, injured or left without their natural habitat.

Earlier this year, Glenwood Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Katie Gartman led a persuasive writing exercise. As part of the exercise, students Dari Olmos-Moran and Sabrina Kennon-Bennet completed their assignment, creating a commercial about how to donate to those affected by the Australian wildfires.

The subject of the two students' assignment turned from theory into a workable idea to help animals in Australia. The original idea evolved, and before too long others were putting together a full-fledged plan to help those affected by the Australian Wildfires. That plan is now known as The Compassion Project.

Fourth Graders, including Olmos-Moran, Kennon-Bennett and fellow students Lorena Nuho and Marry Par were joined by art teacher Kelly Betz, first grade teacher Beth Kaminski, resource teacher Beth Dewing, fifth grade teacher Julie Eisenhauer and resource teacher Jennifer Pahl in leading the Compassion Project.

As part of the project, students, staff and an army of volunteers will be using donated fabric, thread and sewing machines to create 351 "joey pouches" on Friday. They will be mailed to the animal rescue organization in Australia.

Australia is home to many marsupials such as possums, gliders, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats and bandicoots. When wildfires tore through their habitats in Australia, many baby marsupials were left without parents — and their mother's pouches — to raise them. Joey pouches are fabric pouches that are carefully sewn to recreate the mothers' pouches where those young animals would ordinarily be raised.

"We drive curiosity and inquiry and a lot of kids have researched on their own. We have pickup in the gym at the end of the day and parents have been able to see what they're kids are doing. It's awesome for parents to see all of this," Pahl said.

The pouches will be made in a variety of sizes: small ones for gliders, koalas, possums and bandicoots, and larger ones for kangaroos, koalas and wallabies who are further along in their development.

Pahls said more than 60 volunteers will be there Friday, including volunteers from area churches, parents and grandparents. Greenfield Middle School is lending 12 sewing machines and six students to help sew. A local Methodist church is also bringing a contingent of helpers and sewing machines.

As a result of their combined effort, Greenfield students and staff are also raising money for the Australian Wildlife Rescue Organization. They hosted a coin drive to raise funds. Greenfield Middle School student council members hosted their own fundraiser. On March 2, former Glenwood students presented project leaders with a check for $500. March 20 is their last day of fundraising. Organizers say they're hoping to raise $1,500 dollars for the Australian Wildlife Rescue Organization, and are well on their way.

Organizers say shipping 351 joey pouches will not be cheap, and are asking for the community to help with the cost of shipping. Anyone interested in helping with this cause is encouraged to call Glenwood Administrative Assistant Robin Mallon at (262) 545-2280. The deadline is March 20.