Local disability support charity Sunshine Butterflies ‘Chippies Corner’ program have been working on something special over the last few months.
This program has been creating professional level bird feeders and possum boxes to donate to the wider community.
The initiative started after the bushfires ravaged Australia over the summer and burnt very closely to the disability support service, threatening their facilities, wildlife and Therapy Animals.
The ‘Chippies Corner’ group wanted to create something to give back to the local community and to the local wildlife by providing them with secure environment during extreme weather conditions.
Chippies Corner Support Mentor, Jim Schaefer said, “Its been inspiring watching our Chippies Corner program dedicate their time to producing these possum boxes, using all the correct procedures, timber and non-toxic materials.”
Sunshine Butterflies attracted the attention of the Little Lambs Early Learning Centre after they saw a social media post earlier this year showcasing these handcrafted possum boxes and bird feeders.
Little Lambs immediately wanted to get involved.
They contacted the organisation, who were thrilled to donate both bird feeders and possum boxes to the early learning centre’s unique garden and playground.
Cristina McRitchie from Little Lambs said, “Community involvement is so important to us, as well as supporting businesses and their ventures.”
“Our involvement with Sunshine Butterflies helps strengthen how we teach the children, to interact with others using care, kindness, empathy and respect.”
Sunshine Butterflies members felt the gift of giving when they donated these possum boxes and bird feeders to the children at Little Lambs.
The ‘Chippies Corner’ team were incredibly proud of their hard work and couldn’t wait to donate their finished products to Little Lambs.
Mr Schaefer said due to their sudden closure this year during the global health crisis, they had to pause production of all possum boxes and bird feeders.
“Our members were very excited when we resumed our Chippies Corner program and were approached by Little Lambs to donate to their wonderful pre-school program,” he said.
Local Early Learning Centre Little Lambs will be using these possum boxes and bird feeders to feed their local wildlife at times that they really need it the most.
They will also use this to help educate the children on sustainable gardening and learn about composting food wastage.
These are the kind of local collaborations that help strengthen the community and send waves of kindness to those involved.
“Its been a trying year for us all and it would be great to move forward with joy in our hearts,” Ms McRitchie said
Little Lambs and Sunshine Butterflies are coincidentally both celebrating their tenth birthdays this year.
