Press release from Friends of the WNC Nature Center:
[ASHEVILLE, NC] Selling lemonade to flowers, kids across the mountains of Western North Carolina are showing up in a big way for the animals at the WNC Nature Center.
In September, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center announced they were raising money to support repairs to Brandon’s Otter Falls, the habitat of river otters Obi-Wan and Olive. “The response was tremendous,” Development Director Kate Frost says, “and we received some really special notes with the donations that came in. Two-dollar bills from the Tooth Fairy, allowances that had been matched by parents, and colorful pictures were given by kids to support the otters.” The fundraising goal was met, and repairs should begin on the otter habitat this fall. Obi and Olive will soon be able to enjoy their newly fixed pool!
Several more kids donated their earnings from summer enterprises, including lemonade stands, flower stands, and bake sales. Alma Rouse is an 8-year-old who lives in Yancey County with her mom, dad, and older brother. Over the past year, she has raised more than $500 to support the WNC Nature Center through bake sales and craft sales. “I love animals, and I would do anything for them,” Alma says. “The Nature Center is one of my favorite places. I like the variety of animals from bears to owls. It is cool to see how animals live in their natural habitat.”
Bored at home during the lockdown, Alma got the idea to raise money to help animals: “I got to thinking about how much animals mean to me when I was home so much, spending time with my cat Fuzz. I wanted to support them, and I love baking and making crafts, so I thought if I sold them, I could help animals in need.”
Alma now periodically sets up at their local food co-op to sell cookies and crafts, and she’s established an online store at www.almashandmade.com, where customers can support her fundraising efforts by purchasing cookies, potholders, and window stars in a variety of colors.
“It’s inspiring to see the giving spirit of Alma and these other young entrepreneurs,” says Frost. “We’re so grateful for the engaged families in this community who are helping grow the next generation of nature lovers, conservationists, and even fundraisers!”
Through her donations, Alma has adopted the Nature Center’s skunk, cougar, gray wolves, red foxes, river otters, and white-tailed deer. You too can become a Wild Parent and support the mission of the WNC Nature Center by adopting an animal at www.wildwnc.org/adopt.
The Friends of the WNC Nature Center is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the animals, programs, and facilities of the WNC Nature Center. As a conservation organization, the Friends inspires a passion to know more, care more, and do more for the wildlife of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. They advance the critical work of the WNC Nature Center by supporting its growth and development through fundraising, membership, outreach education, marketing, and volunteer services. Tax-deductible donations to the Friends (Tax ID: 23-7412910) directly support the animal habitats, education programs, and conservation initiatives of the WNC Nature Center.
The WNC Nature Center – Asheville’s wildlife park – is located on 42 acres and is home to more than 60 species of animals, including red pandas, river otters, black bears, red and gray wolves, and red and gray foxes. For more information, please visit www.wildwnc.org.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.