One stitch at a time, Huber Heights woman is helping Australian wildlife

HUBER HEIGHTS — Wildfires in Australia have taken a toll on the country’s wildlife.

It’s estimated more than a billion animals have been injured or died in the fires. Along with people across the globe, a woman in Huber Heights is trying to make a difference with the help of a sewing machine.

“They are in desperate need of all sorts of items,” Dolores Lisse said. “Pillows, wombat bags, hanging bags, kangaroo bags, anything and everything.”

Lisse said it’s all going to animals on the other side of the globe, who are injured by the fires in Australia.

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“I sat here for the first couple of days that I was sewing and I would cry, literally cry as I was sewing these because I knew this was for a good cause,” Lisse said.

She’s not doing it alone. Her next door neighbor and friends of 20 years, Sherry Lynn, also is helping.

“If she needs something, then I am there, and if I need something, she is definitely there,” Lynn said. “It brings you a lot of joy. It makes you feel like you are doing something special and just doing your part.”

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Together, the two have made 40 joey pouches of different sizes for kangaroos. They also plan to make blankets, beds, and anything else the injured animals might need.

“She stepped up and she’s been cutting, my husband has been cutting, my daughter – there’s a lot of hours that goes into it,” Lisse said.

The sewing machine isn’t slowing down anytime soon. But Lisse started running low on fabric, so she asked people on Facebook for donations. The donations have already started pouring in.

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“I’ve just been amazed at Huber Heights and just the outpour of generosity,” Lisse said.

Lisse said it has allowed her to continue to help, and make a difference, one stitch at a time.

“I can’t even begin to express the feelings of joy and knowing that I am doing something to help.”

To donate fabric to Lisse, email her at dolores.lisse@gmail.com.