Natasha Laberis turned her love of crafting into a fundraiser for the Sarnia Humane Society, donating handmade bracelets to support animals in need.
When 11-year-old Natasha Laberis learned about a local fundraiser to help animals in need, she knew exactly how she wanted to contribute.
Natasha has been making bracelets for about three years, often selling them at summer lemonade stands. A creative and animal-loving student from Sarnia, she was recently inspired to take that hobby further after meeting Taryn Tessier of The Fur Seasons Sarnia, a local animal advocate who was organizing a charity auction.
Wanting to help, Natasha spent hours crafting a box of handmade bracelets — including lava bead designs — and donated them to the auction. The fundraiser brought in $825 for the Sarnia & District Humane Society.
“I’m so happy and proud that people like my bracelets and that more animals can have happy homes now,” Natasha said. “One day when I go to visit the shelter, I hope that it is empty, because all of the animals will be adopted into happy, loving homes.”
Her mother, Stenia Laberis, said Natasha’s dedication to animals has always been strong.
“Natasha would do anything to help animals and was excited to make a difference the way that Taryn has and continues to do for all animals,” she said.
Following the auction, Natasha was invited to deliver the full donation to the Humane Society in person and spent some time with a few of the adoptable cats.
The experience has inspired her to keep helping. She hopes to hold a bracelet sale under the bridge this summer and continue supporting both The Fur Seasons Sarnia and the Humane Society.
“I’m so happy that I met Taryn because she loves animals as much as I do,” she said.
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