Two young Kamloops children in Juniper Ridge are hoping to raise at least $2,000 by collecting bottles and cans during this COVID-19 pandemic, with all of the proceeds going to help the animals at the BC Wildlife Park.
Twelve-year-old Gabby Armstrong says the response that she and her 10-year-old brother Dmitri have gotten in the last week has been fantastic.
“We just wanted to help,” she told NL News. “There are so many organizations that help people, but there’s no organizations that really help animals. And so many people are helping other people, but the animals can’t help themselves.”
The pair was about $100 from reaching their goal this afternoon, but collected $350 after another trip to the bottle depot this afternoon. That said, Gabby Armstrong notes they plan to keep raising money as long as people keep donating bottles and cans.
“We load up the truck everyday and go to the bottle depot,” she added. “We put up signs so people can drive up and unload their bottles on our driveway. We stay inside so physical distancing rules can be respected and then we take them to the bottle depot.”
Alex Armstrong, Gabby and Dmitri’s mother, says the response from the community so far has been fantastic. She says anyone who wants to drop off bottles and cans can do at their house on 2380 Qu’appelle Boulevard.
“You just take a deep breath and say, ‘you know what, we’re doing this for the animals,'” she said. “These animals need help too and its something that we feel we can contribute back to an organization in Kamloops that means a lot to a lot of people.”
The Wildlife park was closed six weeks ago because of the pandemic. Staff previously told NL News it costs about $10,000 a month to feed the animals, which is over and above the others costs at the park -including staff costs and money to run the rehabilitation centre, which cares for between 350 and 500 animals a year, at a cost of around $75,000.
A campaign by Kara Evans and Melissa Charpentier exceeded its goal when it raised $2,642. Another by Jonathan Corrigan has raised $1,515 of its $10,000 goal.
On Monday, New Gold also presented a $15,000 cheque to the park, while General Manager Glenn Grant says has significantly eased the short term financial pressure at the Park.
