How to make a BAG difference for animals :)

"If we don't do something now, when will we?" – Jasmine Roney, age 16

Can you remember when you first learned about the terrible things that happen to animals? I remember feeling disbelief and wondering what I could do to help. When Jasmine learned about cruelty, she felt empowered to act.

In 2012 Jasmine started making calico bags with original designs on them to raise funds to help animals in factory farms and in the live animal export trade. These might seem like big issues for a 15 year old to tackle but as Jasmine quickly learned, we are not alone in wanting to help animals :)

Fast forward to now – here is a picture of Jasmine and Costa from ABC's Gardening Australia at the launch party for her Bags for Change project in Richmond :)

Jasmine raised a whopping $1800 for animals by selling her fair-trade, reusable bags. (You can still purchase a bag for yourself at the Bags for Change Facebook page.)

There was also a raffle with donated prizes from companies who supported Jasmine's cause AND an art competition with an awesome 60 entrants!

It all started with the decision to make a difference. As Jasmine says, "for one second be bold enough to think that you can change the world because the ones who are brave enough to think that are the ones that do."

Is there an issue of cruelty that really gets to you? Do you have an idea to help change the world for animals? You can start your very own fundraising page by clicking here and filling out the details about your project. Or you can choose one of the challenges suggested :)

Jasmine wrote to us after her bag launch and said, "you all inspire me every day." Well Jasmine, I can speak for all of the Unleashed team when I say that you inspire us!

We were so moved by Jasmine's passion when we heard about her project. And we just can't get enough of hearing about the awesome things that people get up to to be a strong voice for animals. So if you're doing something awesome, get the credit for it you deserve by entering our Activist Challenge comp.

P.S. If you'd like to leave a message of support for Jasmine, you can do so in the comments below :)

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