With a jolt, I leaped out of bed.

I had just received the message that the fundraiser started

in two hours, and an idea had struck me like a bolt of lightning, coursing through my veins. I
raced into my mom’s room and asked her:
“Could I make jewelry to sell at the fundraiser?”
“You have to ask, but I don’t see any reason you wouldn’t be able to,” she assured me.
Scooping up my phone, I sent the message, asking to be a part of this event.
My head was filled with ideas of different pieces I had already made, and could now
make for an event showcasing these beautiful creatures. Even before I received the message that
said that would be wonderful, I was racing around the house, finding any charms, hooks, or
chains I could. My mother stopped me in the middle of my frenzy to see what quality the chains I
could find were. Upon discovery that both of us were unaware, we rushed down to the local
jewelry store to purchase some sterling silver chains and beads.
Finding charms with parrots sitting on branches, I rushed to make as many as I could. With half
an hour left until we needed to be there, my boyfriend came to help me put the hooks on them as
my mother placed them in bags. I was wrapping wire around snowflake beads to form a nest,
with the beads in the center, resembling a bird’s nest where three small eggs sat, ready to hatch. I
put as much care and detail in as I could while in such a rush, my adrenaline pounding through
my veins.
With no time left, we grabbed what we had and met his parents, who had patiently waited
outside my house for ten minutes. We piled into the back of their van, arranging the pieces
carefully onto the display my mom had placed into my hands as we ran out the door. We didn’t
have nearly enough pieces to put two on each, but the necklaces were also too long to place on
even the highest branch. My boyfriend graciously took it away and therefore, off of my mind so
that I didn’t reorganize them for the entire car ride. We sat, discussing the event that was about to
transpire in front of our eyes, excitement stirring the air around us. The fifteen minute ride both
seemed too long and too short.
As we piled out of the car, I admired the building before us. The cold air swept across my
not-dressed-for-the-weather form, but I still stared at it. It was some sort of school, although the
name has escaped my memory at this point. The cement staircase led to a double row of glass
doors that provided entry to the building. We were ushered to the top, where others were waiting.
A kiddie pool was set up so that people could throw money onto the candy inside. If they landed
on a piece of candy, they would be allowed to take it. However, I remembered the commitment
my boyfriend and I had agreed to weeks before, previously forgotten. I gave his mother the
jewelry we had assembled, and we rushed inside. A bin was pulled out, in which there was
something blue, and something with many colors. As they were pulled out, we were each
instructed to choose one bird mascot to be for the night. He chose the inflatable bird suit, and I
chose the colorful macaw.
Overall, choosing a pair of shorts worked well, as I appeared very realistic with my thin
chicken legs sticking out from the bottom of the feathers. My arms slipped into the wings, and
we were back outside, into the cold. Our job was to be the first thing that people saw as they
searched for the event. We walked back and forth, flapping our arms around in an attempt to
seem like trained, very oversized birds. Besides of course, for my human feet that were slipped
into a pair of sandals, and his sneakers that peaked out from underneath the suit. We ran back
and forth, and ushered people in for what was likely only a half an hour. Eventually, though, the
pump gave out and his suit started to deflate. We tried several times to get the pump to work
properly again, with each time a bigger failure than the last. It was close enough to the event start
time that they allowed us to take the suits off, and place them back into the bins.
The warmth of the building wasn’t too drastic compared to what it had been outside, but
it was still comparably warm. I shivered anyway in an attempt to adjust to the new temperature.
Side by side, we walked into the auditorium. The dark room was a stark contrast to what I had
seen in my own school. I sat down in the row my boyfriend’s family was sitting in. A man came
out and started talking, and introducing the audience to people I had never truly met before. He
introduced the event as a fundraiser to raise money for this little shop that took care of the parrots
that we abandon. With our too much information and our lack of looking, our consumerist
society leaves these birds without homes. This store was mainly a rescue and so the money
donated would benefit the lives of the birds, otherwise it would have to close. This information
was not new to me, so I must confess I tuned out.
Clapping snapped me out of my daze as the magician came onto the stage with a bow. He
pulled 3 doves out of nowhere, and the audience clapped again. He performed many common
magic tricks, but had birds in a majority of them. Macaws, african greys, and even more doves
swept the stage. Cockatoos too, which are the most commonly surrendered bird. Some of the
birds talked, others just flew. One unlocked its cage and wreaked havoc on the magic trick for its
act. Cards and feathers flew, and before we knew it, it was all over. He said his goodbyes and put
in his plug for the magic wands he was selling in the entry room.
We filed out of the auditorium back into the entry room, where I noticed my jewelry
stand surrounded by a few people. I noticed a particular pair of earrings was not there, and I told
the family friend manning the stand that I was glad of its absence. I noticed the difference of
many more of the items, but this one in particular had caught my attention.
“Actually,” she started, before pulling it out of her pocket.
I smiled as I recognized the red parrot earrings.
“They were too cute not to get them,” she confessed.
Money flew around the room as people bought things that truly they didn’t need, but the
money was easy to spend because of where the money was going. Jewelry, buttons, plush
animals, and other bird merchandise were distributed as people purchased whatever caught there
eye. The darkness outside was refreshing in the sweltering heat. Slowly, people left and soon the
room was empty, with only my family who had showed up to collect me, his family, and those
who ran the shop for the birds. We said our goodbyes and we drove our separate ways, resting
assured that the store would be able to stay open for longer.

The $50 was a small amount of money raised, but to my broke self, part of me wished I
had taken some commissions in order to, at the very least, make more for next time a fundraiser
was necessary. Now, I realize that it was okay because the store has stayed open for 4 years. At
that time, I was able to get a job for the money to make more if the opportunity presents itself
again. However, I will probably get compensation for my work this time, and definitely charge
more than $5 for a set of earrings. Those who came through talked about the workmanship and
the beauty, which has encouraged me to start my own business which I am slowly building up to.
This experience has given me the confidence I need to rest assured that my decision is sound and
that this can be a viable way for me to make some more money. More importantly, though, it felt
incredible to give my money to a worthy cause that helps the animals that humans have made
lives worse for. Overall, it also helps the environment as helping animals is important to keeping
the biodiversity we have. We must take care of nature and its animals, especially those we have
caused the issues for. Change starts in your neighborhood and even though you may lose things,
you can also gain a lot from giving yourself to a cause.
The average bird experiences 7 homes before it finally finds one that is willing to keep it
for the rest of its life. Too many children want birds and are not appropriate caretakers, similar to
bunnies and chickens around Easter. The difference here is that a bird’s lifespan can range from
about 40 to 60 years. These are often viewed as just pets, but truly, they are more accurately
compared to lifelong companions. Birds are often difficult pets due to their loud noises, mess
making, and overall need for interaction. When excited in any way, birds can become very vocal.
Alternatively, when they are not being interacted with, they may also start making oud noises to
attract the attention of their caretaker. It is important for birds to be out of the cage as often as is
viable. They must also have interactive toys in their cage. Either with things they can tear apart,
or things with treats hidden inside. Birds often are re-homed for their suggestive behavior
towards humans. However, this is usually caused by people petting a bird wrong. As they are
capable of preening anything but their head, often they will allow other birds to preen their
heads. However, a mate may be allowed to preen along the bird’s entire body, so when humans
pet a bird from head to tail, the bird may begin to view them as a mate. There are many reasons
why birds are abandoned, and even more why we need to address this issue and stop it from
happening as often as it does.
Editing comments

With a start, I jumped out of bed. I had just received the message that the fundraiser started in
two hours, and an idea had struck me like a bolt of lightning. I raced into my mom’s room and
asked her
“Could I make jewelry to sell at the fundraiser?”
“You have to ask, but I don’t see any reason you wouldn’t be able to,” she assured me.
Scooping up my phone, I sent the message, asking to be a part of this event.
My head was filled with ideas of different pieces I had already made, and could now
make for an event showcasing these beautiful creatures. Even before I received the message that
said that would be wonderful, I was racing around the house, finding any charms, hooks, or
chains I could. My mother stopped me in the middle of my frenzy to see what quality the chains I
could find were. Upon discovery that both of us were unaware, we rushed down to the local
jewelry store to purchase some sterling silver chains and beads.
Finding charms with parrots sitting on branches, I rushed to make as many as I could. With half
an hour left until we needed to be there, my boyfriend came to help me put the hooks on them as
my mother placed them in bags. I was wrapping wire around snowflake beads to form a nest,
with the beads in the center, resembling a bird’s nest where three small eggs sat, ready to hatch. I
put as much care and detail in as I could while in such a rush, my adrenaline pounding through
my veins.
 With no time left, we grabbed what we had and met his parents, who had patiently waited
outside my house for ten minutes. We piled into the back of their van, placing the pieces
carefully onto a display my mom had placed into my hands as we ran out the door. We didn’t
have nearly enough pieces to put two on each, but the necklaces were also too long to place on
even the highest branch. My boyfriend graciously took it away and therefore, off of my mind so
that I didn’t rearrange them for the entire car ride. We sat, discussing the event that was about to
transpire in front of our eyes, excitement stirring the air around us. The fifteen minute ride both
seemed too long and too short.
As we piled out of the car, I admired the building before us. The cold air swept across my
non-dressed-for-the-weather form, but I still stared at it. It was some sort of school, although the
name has escaped my memory at this point. The cement staircase lead to a double row of glass
doors that provided entry to the building. We were ushered to the top, where others we waiting.
A kiddie pool was set up so that people could throw money onto the candy inside. If they landed
on a piece of candy, they would be allowed to take it. However, I remembered the commitment
my boyfriend and I had agreed to weeks before, previously forgotten. I gave his mother the
jewelry we had assembled, and we rushed inside. A bin was pulled out, in which there was
something blue, and something with many colors. As they were pulled out, we were each
instructed to choose one bird mascot to be for the night. He chose the inflatable bird suit, and I
chose the colorful macaw.
Overall, choosing a pair of shorts worked well, as I appeared very realistic with my thin
chicken legs sticking out from the bottom of the feathers. My arms slipped into the wings, and
we were back outside, into the cold. Our job was to be the first thing that people saw as they
searched for the event. We walked back and forth, flapping our arms around in an attempt to
seem like trained, very oversized birds. Besides of course, for my human feet that were slipped
into a pair of sandals, and his sneakers that peaked out from underneath the suit. We ran back
and forth, and ushered people in for what was likely only a half an hour. Eventually, though, the
pump gave out and his suit started to deflate. We tried several times to get the pump to work
properly again, with each time a bigger failure than the last. It was close enough to the event start
time that they allowed us to take the suits off, and place them back into the bins.
The warmth of the building wasn’t too drastic compared to what it had been outside, but
it was still comparably warm. I shivered anyway in an attempt to adjust to the new temperature.
Side by side, we walked into the auditorium. The dark room was a stark contrast to what I had
seen in my own school. I sat down in the row my boyfriend’s family was sitting in. A man came
out and started talking, and introducing the audience to people I had never truly met before. He
introduced the event as a fundraiser to raise money for this little shop that took care of the parrots
that we abandon. With our too much information and our lack of looking, our consumerist
society leaves these birds without homes. This store was mainly a rescue and so the money
donated would benefit the lives of the birds, otherwise it would have to close. This information
was not new to me, so I must confess I tuned out.
Clapping snapped me out of my daze as the magician came onto the stage with a bow. He
pulled 3 doves out of nowhere, and the audience clapped again. He performed many common
magic tricks, but had birds in a majority of them. Macaws, african greys, and even more doves
swept the stage. Cockatoos too, which are the most commonly surrendered bird. Some of the
birds talked, others just flew. One unlocked its cage and wreaked havoc on the magic trick for its
act. Cards and feathers flew, and before we knew it, it was all over. He said his goodbyes and put
in his plug for the magic wands he was selling in the entry room.
We filed out of the auditorium back into the entry room, where I noticed my jewelry
stand surrounded by a few people. I noticed a particular pair of earrings was not there, and I told
the family friend manning the stand that I was glad of its absence. I noticed the difference of
many more of the items, but this one in particular had caught my attention.
“Actually,” she started, before pulling it out of her pocket.
I smiled as I recognized the red parrot earrings.
“They were too cute not to get them,” she confessed.
Money flew around the room as people bought things that truly they didn’t need, but the
money was easy to spend because of where the money was going. Jewelry, buttons, plush
animals, and other bird merchandise were distributed as people purchased whatever caught there
eye. The darkness outside was refreshing in the sweltering heat. Slowly, people left and soon the
room was empty, with only my family who had showed up to collect me, his family, and those
who ran the shop for the birds. We said our goodbyes and we drove our separate ways, resting
assured that the store would be able to stay open for longer.

The $50 was a small amount of money raised, but to my broke self, part of me wished I
had taken some commissions in order to, at the very least, make more for next time a fundraiser
was necessary. Now, I realize that it was okay because the store has stayed open for 4 years. At
that time, I was able to get a job for the money to make more if the opportunity presents itself
again. However, I will probably get compensation for my work this time, and definitely charge
more than $5 for a set of earrings. Those who came through talked about the workmanship and
the beauty, which has encouraged me to start my own business which I am slowly building up to.
This experience has given me the confidence I need to rest assured that my decision is sound and
that this can be a viable way for me to make some more money. More importantly, though, it felt
incredible to give my money to a worthy cause that helps the animals that humans have made
lives worse for. Overall, it also helps the environment as helping animals is important to keeping
the biodiversity we have. We must take care of nature and its animals, especially those we have
caused the issues for. Change starts in your neighborhood and even though you may lose things,
you can also gain a lot from giving yourself to a cause.
The average bird experiences 7 homes before it finally finds one that is willing to keep it
for the rest of its life. Too many children want birds and are not appropriate caretakers, similar to
bunnies and chickens around Easter. The difference here is that a bird’s lifespan can range from
about 40 to 60 years. These are often viewed as just pets, but truly, they are more accurately
compared to lifelong companions. Birds are often difficult pets due to their loud noises, mess
making, and overall need for interaction. When excited in any way, birds can become very vocal.
Alternatively, when they are not being interacted with, they may also start making oud noises to
attract the attention of their caretaker. It is important for birds to be out of the cage as often as is
viable. They must also have interactive toys in their cage. Either with things they can tear apart,
or things with treats hidden inside. Birds often are re-homed for their suggestive behavior
towards humans. However, this is usually caused by people petting a bird wrong. As they are
capable of preening anything but their head, often they will allow other birds to preen their
heads. However, a mate may be allowed to preen along the bird’s entire body, so when humans
pet a bird from head to tail, the bird may begin to view them as a mate. There are many reasons
why birds are abandoned, and even more why we need to address this issue and stop it from
happening as often as it does.