CLINTON, Ill. — From Central Illinois to Australia, 4-H members in Clinton are stepping up to help wildlife injured and displaced by the wildfires that have ravaged 18 million acres of the outback. Koalas, kangaroos and other species rescued from the bushfires are being cared for by animal rescue groups who desperately need specialty supplies such as bat wraps and joey pouches.

The Sew Cool 4-H Club is inviting area youth and their parents to join them January 10 and February 14 to sew flannel items that will be shipped to Australian animal rescue groups. Sewing machines and fabric will be provided and parents and children will work together under the guidance of the club’s leader Cassandra Meyen. Participants are welcome to bring their own sewing machines.

“We’re so proud of these 4-H members for seeing a need and stepping up,” said Lindsey Burden, DeWitt County Extension Youth and Development program coordinator. “The sewing club is putting the 4-H motto of ‘learn by doing’ into practice in a way that serves others.”

The club will be sewing supplies 6 p.m. Friday, January 10 and Friday, February 14 at the DeWitt County Extension Office, 8425 Katie Road, Clinton. Media welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Lindsey at (217) 935-5764 or lburden@illinois.edu. Donations of flannel fabric can be delivered to the Extension office during business hours.

The 4-H program is provided through University of Illinois Extension and is open to youth ages 8 to 18. Youth learn skills for living by participating in individual or group learning experiences related to more than 200 project areas. Find Dewitt County 4-H on Facebook.

Contact

Lindsey Burden
Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development
DeWitt Extension Office
8425 Katie Rd., Clinton, IL 61727
(217) 935-5764
lburden@illinois.edu