The sun is out, and we are all safe after the storm, as are our volunteers! That’s the most important thing

None of us living in Western NC will ever be able to adequately express our gratitude for all of you who have checked in on us, made donations, sent bottled water, offered to help replenish our lost wildlife art supplies, and showed us your caring and love. Thank you for being there for us!

Communication is still challenging for some of us, so please be patient as the Internet & cell phones continue to be spotty. Many roads and bridges are gone, so getting from place to place takes longer. But we are resilient!

And we are jumping right in to do what we can to help the kids in our communities!

Red Wolves & Box Turtles in the Shelter

“It’s so great to be doing art again,” the little boy in the disaster shelter exclaims as he learns about box turtles and decorates cardboard turtle shells. As soon as the roads were cleared of downed trees and floodwaters, Champions for Wildlife visited the shelter with wildlife art supplies. 

We met the mom of a large family who shared her harrowing rescue experience through the flood waters of the Pacolet River. She was so appreciative of everything being done for their family and was happy her kids had some wildlife art to do at the shelter.

The kids pass around fossilized turtle shells as they learn about box turtles and decorate their own shells. The next day, it’s Red Wolves, and they carve wolf heads in round clay medallions, which the kids get to keep. 

Bringing Sunshine & Smiles

And out of that shelter experience, the Sunshine & Smiles wildlife art kits were born. Giving kids impacted by the storm art supplies and activities to learn about protecting wildlife, empowers them to make a difference despite the devastation.

The first round of Sunshine & Smiles Kits have been backpacks that include wildlife coloring pages, activity sheets, crayons, colored pencils, nature journal sketchbooks, and wiki sticks. And if you don’t know what a wiki stick is, you’re not alone, but kids sure do. They are waxed yarn sticks that form shapes, such as wild animals like spiders and Red Wolves!

Last week, our Education Manager, Alexis Hinchliffe, delivered 100 kits to the temporary home of Fernleaf Charter School. Below is a photo of the kits waiting for students returning to their new classrooms.

In response to all who have asked how you can help…

The needs in Western North Carolina are great and there are many important causes to support. We are focused on helping kids heal from the trauma of the storm in the way we know best – through art.

Nature can be destructive, as seen with Hurricane Helene, but Mother Nature also helps heal by reducing stress and anxiety while fostering a feeling of normalcy. And our kids need normal right now. Creating art about nature can be particularly healing. Children can express their emotions, regain a sense of control, and find beauty in their surroundings after witnessing so much destruction.

For the second round of Sunshine & Smiles Kits, we are providing wrapped kits with a Red Wolf theme. These special holiday kits will not only go to those impacted by the storm, but to other children in need, some who may only receive this one wrapped gift for the holidays.

We have heard from so many wanting to know how to help, so here’s how….

• Make a donation: For every $15, another kit will be put into the hands of a child.

• Buy from the Amazon Wishlist: These are items needed to go into the kits and for our Wild for Art programs.

All donations up to $5,000 will be matched thanks to a very generous donor!

The kits cost $15 each, and there is already a need for 1,000 more kits! Your support will have a big impact and we are grateful for whatever you can donate.

Thank you again for your support!