Upon seeing an abandoned bunny, senior Katie Belpulsi decided to turn her Fashion Construction One project into a charitable business.
“I just wanted to do something helpful,” Belpulsi said.
One day before work, Belpulsi’s dog tore into a bunny nest leaving one baby bunny deserted Short on time, she researched local animal rescue organizations and found the Wildlife Rescue Center located near Castlewood State Park, Belpulsi said.
“I took it there and then went to work,” Belpulsi said. “They asked for a donation, but I didn’t have any money at the time so I figured I’d repay them in some way.”
The project that inspired Belpulsi was a fleece hat and scarf set that tested the student’s accuracy with cutting and sewing measurements, Jill Kehlenbrink, practical arts teacher, said.
“She took to sewing like a fish does to water,” Kehlenbrink said. “I think Katie surprised herself at how darling the set turned out and right then and there, decided to sell them.”
Belpulsi, who works at Hancock Fabrics, said she gets all her fabrics from the store.
Belpulsi said she’s selling her hat and scarf set for $15 and 20 percent of the proceeds goes to the Wildlife Rescue Center.
“I can do a variety of different colors, animal prints and other patterns,” Belpulsi said.
Belpulsi said she also spoke with Kehlenbrink after the assignment regarding her future plans concerning her business.
“We discussed the cost and who might be interested, etc. and she then mentioned it to her parents,” Kehlenbrink said. “I was completely thrilled when she told me what she was going to do with the profits.”
Kelsey Sidney, senior, said she is excited for the set she ordered.
“I got a zebra print set which is really cool,” Sidney said. “Everyone should get one, the scarves even have pockets attached.”
And Sidney isn’t the only one wanting a set from Belpulsi.
“Everyone at my dad’s work asked for one to prepare for winter,” Belpulsi said.
For more information on her business or to order a set you can contact Katie Belpulsi in person or on her Facebook.