This year, I dedicated some of my volunteer hours* to a cause I discovered through a Facebook community action group called Rescue Craft Co. The organization was established to support wildlife injured in the Australian bushfires. Members of the group design and share patterns for crafts that provide comfort and housing for affected animals, and these handmade items are then distributed to shelters across the country. There are 32 patterns to support a wide range of wildlife, from small creatures like bats, birds, and lizards to larger animals such as Tasmanian devils, wombats, and joeys.
After I reached out to one of the group’s creators to learn more, she explained that temperature spikes in the atmosphere high above Antarctica have a severe effect on Australia’s weather pattern. This is called Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW), and when it happens, it can affect Australia’s weather for months. SSWs are very rare in the Southern Hemisphere—they’ve only been recorded twice in the last 60 years, in 2002 and 2019. Both were followed by some of the worst bushfires in Australia’s history.
For my contribution, I sewed bat pouches in two different sizes as well as bat wraps. All patterns require the use of 100% natural fibers, such as cotton or bamboo. For the bat items, I chose to use flannel sheets and polar fleece. Through additional research and YouTube tutorials, I learned that rescuers carry these pouches with them to safely transport injured bats. When the bats are brought back to the shelter, the pouch is tied upside down or the bats are placed inside a bat wrap. These items help soothe the bats by mimicking the feeling of their mother’s embrace—much like being tucked beneath her wing.
I’m still working on my hanging bat pouches, but I plan to have a full package ready to send out soon. I’m hoping to continue building my crafting skills so I can make additional patterns for other animals in the future. There are so many projects to try, and I’m proud to be able to contribute in a meaningful way.
If you’d like to learn more about this effort, visit the org’s Facebook page. They regularly post updates as to which items they need most and how to get involved.
*Normandeau rolled out a Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policy in January of 2025 that allows employees to use paid time off to volunteer for charitable organizations of their choosing.
