Community Knits Kangaroo Pouches, Koala Mittens For Australia

NORTH FORK, NY — The world has watched in horror as fires have continued to rage across Australia, leaving a trail of devastation — and causing the death of millions of defenseless animals.

According to CNN, nearly 18 million acres of land have burned across Australia — and a report by ecologist Christopher Dickman of the University of Sydney indicated that the total number of animals affected could be as high as a billion.

And while monetary donations are pouring in to Australia from celebrities and regular folks across the world, crafters, too, are coming together to help.

Desperate to help, residents on the North Fork are joining an army nationwide — not of soldiers but of knitters, who are gathering to create supplies that will help animals wounded in the fires recover. Volunteers are donating materials and joining forces to sew soft pouches for kangaroos, or joeys, and knit tiny mittens for burned koalas.

"We are animal lovers and can't stand to see the hundreds of thousands of innocent animals suffering," said Stephanie Oliver of Southold. "They are scared and confused and can use all the comfort and support they can get."

To that end, Oliver and Stephanie Berberich, of Laurel, are organizing a "Craft-a-thon" on Saturday, January 11, at JABS, located at 32845 Main Rd. in Cutchogue "where anyone and everyone can come together to make as many comforting items as we can to send to Australia," Oliver said.

The group, she added, will be knitting, crocheting, and sewing; those who would like to make items at home can add them to the group's, so that they can be shipped together.

According to Animal Rescue Collective Craft Guild, items that are needed the most are koala mittens, joey pouches and hanging pouches.

The world has come together to knit furiously for good: According to Reuters, the Animal Rescue Craft Guild, run by volunteers, reports donations coming from not just the United States, but Germany, France, Hong Kong and Britain.

Oliver and Berberich are collecting craft supplies and are seeking T-shirts, fleece blankets, bedding, fabric, natural fiber yarn, threat, crocheting/knitting tools and sewing machines (to borrow.)

Those who would like to donate materials, can contact Oliver at 631-512-0212 and Berberich at 631-871-0235.