BHS Carpentry Classes Visit Green Chimneys To Present Projects

The ducks were quacking and the bunnies were hopping at Green Chimneys yesterday morning when Brewster High School students presented their finished duck lean-tos and rabbit hutches

“You guys have shared in our community mission by giving back. Thank you for your creativity and hard work,” said Chief Program Director Denise Luft. “The ducks and rabbits will really enjoy their new shelters.”

Green Chimneys is a nonprofit helping young people by providing residential, educational, clinical and recreational services in a safe and supportive environment that nurtures connections with family, community, animals and nature. So, what better way to give back than make much-needed animal shelters for some of the animals at the farm?

With a $700 grant he received from the Brewer Educational Foundation, Carpentry teacher Glenn Palmieri bought wood and supplies for his carpentry students to make animal houses for the ducks and rabbits at the farm.

“The ones we currently have are falling down, so we have a true need for these structures,” said Michael Kaufman, director of programming.

The staff gathered to give students from Palmieri’s carpentry classes the royal treatment. After thanking the students, staff led the group on a tour of the grounds winding their way from the sheep to the Kunekune pigs to Phoenix, the Camel, and Benji, the giant Swiss Brown cow, and so many other beautiful animals and birds. The highlight of course was seeing the rabbit pens for the new hutches and duck enclosures for the new lean-tos.

The trip showed students that the projects they made will have a very real impact on animals they saw and learned about. Hearing how helpful these projects are going to be to the animals really hit home with many of them.

“At Green Chimneys, we believe that healing happens in relationships and part of our mission is to nurture the connections between our youth and their families, the community and animals and nature,” said Chief Clinical Officer Kristin Licardi. “We are so grateful for our ongoing relationship with Brewster schools and the CTE program for sharing that mission and doing such an amazing job on the animal houses. Thank you for your hard work, creativity and heart, and for choosing Green Chimneys for your “build with a purpose.”