How Your Used Mascara Wands Can Help Save Wildlife!
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Although I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, I always seem to end up with a drawer full of rarely used tubes of mascara. I always end up with samples that were given to me by friends and family who didn’t use that specific brand. I have naturally long eyelashes, and for me, mascara turns into an annoyance as the day goes on.
A few years ago, I came across an awesome post on Pinterest that totally changed the way I view mascara wands. This finally gave a purpose to my multiple mascara tubes. I love recycling & reusing, and I especially love animals, so the mission of Appalachian Wildlife really touched my heart.
Since I first saw the post, I have started a collection of used mascara wands, and I’ve even asked friends to save their wands for me to add to my stash!
Keep reading to see how you can do the same!
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is located in Western North Carolina, and has been helping wildlife animals since October of 2014.
Here’s how it all began:
Wands for Wildlife® started from a Facebook post put up by Appalachian Wildlife Refuge co-founder and wildlife rehabilitator Savannah Trantham on her personal page on March 10, 2017. One of her friends, who is a makeup consultant, asked her to make the post public so she could share on her business page and it took off! Since then, they’ve received wands from all over the USA and around the world!
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“The response to a simple request for mascara wands has been astounding. I honestly have trouble wearing mascara now – the outpouring of compassion and support brings tears to my eyes as I read messages, notes and comments from people all over the world who care about animals, the environment and just want to help. The world is full of good people wanting to do some good!”
– From Appalachian Wild Co-Founder Kimberly Brewster
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Wildlife rehabilitators use the wands in many ways, including: removing fly eggs and larva from feathers and fur of wild animals; assisting the wildlife rehabilitator in examining for injuries; grooming an area on an animal to remove dust, dirt, sand, sawdust, etc.; and, cleaning the syringes used for feeding the animals. Because the bristles are soft and so close together, they reduce the risk of potential injury to tiny patients – especially squirmy babies.
My husband, who is a major fan of birds, keeps joking with me that when we have an Emu someday, he wants to have a giant mascara wand made so he can clean and brush his Emu even after it’s all grown up! I’m not sure if that’s possible, but one can dream, right? 😉
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When can you donate the wands?
Due to the outpouring of wand donations from all over the country, the refuge has to ask people to send the wands in only a few times out of the year. With that being said, wands are accepted in both October and February. (October is almost here, so get ready to send out your packages!)
What steps need to be taken before sending them off?
To recycle old wands, clean them in warm, soapy water to remove residual mascara and make sure that they’re completely dry. Mail them in with the form found on the website here: https://www.appalachianwild.org/wands-for-wildlife.html. Be sure to check postage and packaging requirements at the local post office.
Believe me… If I lived closer to their Wildlife Refuge, I’d be a full time volunteer! But since I live all the way in California, I follow their social media pages to keep up with their amazing work! (Keep up with the wild ones here: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!). You can also connect with them using #WandsforWildlife on social media.
I am never disappointed by the videos and pictures that they post. I love their passion for wildlife, and I strive to bring that same passion to my own rehabilitation work someday!
If you want to help out but you don’t have any mascara wands to donate, there is also a wishlist of food items and supplies needed to help the injured and orphaned animals. Feel free to check out their wishlist here: https://www.appalachianwild.org/wishlist.html.
You don’t need a special occasion to donate items from their wishlist… they’ll be very appreciative of your loving support all year round!
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I hope that this post has encouraged you to start saving up your used mascara wands! October is coming up in just a few short weeks, which means you can get ready to send your donation in! I’ll be doing the same!
Have you ever sent in a donation of used wands to Appalachian Wild? Let me know in the comments down below! Share this post with your friends so they can donate their wands as well! <3
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*UPDATE!* (read below)
As of August 4, 2020, the Wands for Wildlife program has become a non-profit organization! On top of that, mascara wands are now accepted ANY TIME OF THE YEAR!
There is a new form to send in with the wands, and more details can be found on their website at www.wandsforwildlife.org.
Its time to send in those wands!
