Town Library Gets Wild, For a Good Cause

Local animals were at the Amherst Town Library earlier today for the library’s last summer program of the year.

Alpacas, chickens and bees were among the wild friends visiting the children this morning.

According to Sarah Hydorn, who is in charge of Children’s Services at the library, animals such as these are a part of the library’s summer-long effort to help families around the world.

She said community sponsors gave money for each hour that the children read throughout the summer, which is then donated to Hiefer International. This organization sends “starter animals” to deserving families in need around the world.

These include sheep, goats, alpacas, chickens and other animals that produce valuable resources that can support the families. As part of the agreement, the families must also share any offspring with another family in their area, spreading the positive influence.

Hydorn said that the children were eager to turn their page turning into animal donations worldwide throughout the summer, aligning with the library’s summer theme of stories around the world.

Local farmers, including Purgatory Falls Alpaca Farms, Z...Z’s Bees and Pheasant Hollow Farms brought their creatures today to show the children the animals they helped send across the world.