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Did you know something as simple as an old mascara wand can help save wildlife? The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge uses mascara brushes to remove fly eggs and larvae from the fur of animals.

How can a Mascara Wand help wildlife?

mascara wands can be recycled to help wildlife in appalachia

Mascara wand brushes work so well because the bristles are very close together.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge A Mascara Wand Can Help Save Wildlife

“When we do a thorough exam, we’re looking for anything on their fur that shouldn’t be there,” Savanna Trantham said, co-founder.

“We would simply run that through,” gently using a mascara brush on a squirrel. “And all the bristles and teeth of the brush are going to catch fly eggs or the larva without causing any damage to the fur.”

Do you have old mascara wand brushes?

They might just be lying around in a drawer.  Clean them in hot soapy water and send them in to help these little animals.  This is such an easy and fun donation.  Gather your friends – let them know about the need.  You can share with the hashtags:

#smallthingsmakeabigdifference

or #WandsforWildlife

—- on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
courtesy of the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

This adorable picture appeared on their Twitter page today with the caption:

The program at work – this baby opossum had flea eggs all over that were easily removed thanks to the magic wands!

Wouldn’t this make a perfect service project for Scouts, Pioneer Clubs, or American Heritage Girls?  Consider it for Sunday School or possibly a VBS project this summer.  How about including a collection after a teaching lesson about the environment?

UPDATE – Collections are now only in February and October.  So please only send during those 2 months.

Mail Clean Mascara Wands to:

Appalachian Wild

P.O. Box 1211

Skyland, NC  28776

The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit that has coordinated the needs of wildlife rehabilitation in Western North Carolina for the past several years.  Since the need has grown so much recently, they are currently expanding their facilities.

To check out their Facebook Page – CLICK HERE

Check out all the other charities posted here on JOY with Purpose! A small act of kindness can change the world.
Check out all the Crafts posted here on JOY with Purpose. All the crafts have easy tutorials and are perfect to donate to local and overseas charities.

(Photos from the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge)

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Mary

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