Washougal elementary students create wraps for animals affected by Australia wildfires

WASHOUGAL — Students at Hathaway Elementary School recently came together to help people affected by fires in Australia. “We want to encourage connections of learning to real-world experiences,” Heather Christofferson, the school’s library assistant, said in a news release. “The difficulty is in finding ways that are cost effective. There are so many opportunities to help both here and abroad.” The group decided to partner with West Region Relief Crafters of America and the World Wildlife Fund, and in Australia, Rhys Nunn at Specsavers. “Rhys is an optometrist outside of Melbourne who really cares, too,” Christofferson said. The class worked together to create bat wraps, sewn flannel fabric that simulate mothers’ wings that are used by caregivers to wrap injured and orphaned bats. Christofferson’s 89-year-old mother, Lila Otto, and brother, Kelly Otto, volunteered to help the second-graders with the project. A total of 220 bat wraps were created and will also be used for lizards, possums, sugar gliders and many other smaller animals. A staff member knitted five nests for birds. The whole supply has been shipped to Australia. “This is a reminder: Even younger students are affected by the news and current events,” Christofferson said in the release. “We promote positive action at Hathaway to help cope. We want to thank all those who continue to help our students in being a positive force for good in our world.”