Here's how we're taking action in our community:
For my 5th birthday this year, I decided to have my friends donate money to help me sponsor a sea lion at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna in lieu of presents. When my preschool heard what I was doing they wanted to support me by holding a bake sale to raise money for the sea lions.
Here's how we got the idea:
Since I love animals so much my mom asked if I would want to support sea lions for my birthday and I was completely on board. My mom encourages us to find ways to support our community.
These are the steps we took:
On my birthday invitations I asked my friends to donate money to support a sea lion OSO. He was an adorable sea lion that was rescued at the PMMC. I made a donation box with Osos picture on it, along with a quick summary of how he was found and rescued.
My preschool class has been reading Fancy Nancy books and some of the kids wanted to hold a bake sale. Our teachers suggested that we hold a bake sale to raise money to support Oso and other sea lions. We decided to make signs and bake treats to be sold in the mornings and afternoons during drop-off and pick-up.
Here are some of the results:
From my birthday, we raised $200 and from the bake sale we raise $250. Together we were able to sponsor 2 sea lions. The sponsorship goes to their rehabilitation and release.
These are the people who volunteered with me:
My family, An organization
One of the coolest things that happened during my project was:
I was able to go and visit Oso with my family and friends. I had drawn a picture of me and OSO and they were so touched by it that they hung it up in Osos cage area and allowed us into his rehabilitation area. They allowed us to see him up close and take pictures with him. It was truly amazing. They also introduced us to another sea lion that had been there since day 1. She was recused when she was 1 day old so she is extremely friendly and outgoing. Her name is Sage.
One of the most important things I learned was:
I learned that everyone can make a difference. I also learned from my idea of raising money for sea lions can spread to having my whole school rally behind the idea. Were only 5, but we raise $450 to support two rescued sea lions. No matter how small you are you can make a difference.