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Keep Calm and Paddle On..
Gildan Softstyle Jersey T-shirt
- Sizes YS - XXXXL
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About this campaign
Through your purchase today, your support will be put to work on an urgent problem.
The current health crisis is already hurting trumpeter swans as the Society faces a shortfall in funding for swan programs. Programs like Trumpeter Watch- tracking new and important migration stops and nesting areas and sharing each report where it is needed most. There are no extra funds in our budget to meet this unexpected funding shortfall. You can change that with your purchase today.
Why is it so important? Your support will help a trumpeter swan and its family right now. Through your purchase today, you make it possible to know if a swan and its family are in an area that is new, safe, or in need of protection. You will provide instant security that an important migration stop or nesting area will be reported and shared where it is needed most. Your purchase will also safeguard the future of important conservation programs of The Trumpeter Swan Society that assure the vitality and welfare of wild trumpeter swans. Through your caring support for Trumpeter Swans, you are making sure a swan and its family have secure, healthy habitats throughout the year.
A big thank you goes out to the individuals who helped design this shirt.
This unique design was created from a photo taken by Kim Stevenson, a member of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group. The graphic was made by Joanna Klass, an Animal Keeper at Woodland Park Zoo In Seattle. Joanna is a board member for the International Wild Waterfowl Association and on the Steering Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Anseriformes Taxon Advisory Group.
There are six apparel options to choose from with the short sleeve and long sleeve shirt options being 100% cotton. The tank and sweatshirt are cotton/poly blends. Short sleeve shirts and sweatshirts are available in youth sizes! Please only select "bulk" shipping if you live in Cleveland, Ohio and can make arrangements to pick shirts up from Tiffany Mayo.
Celebrating 50 years thanks to people like you! The Trumpeter Swan Society (TTSS) is a non-profit organization, founded in 1968 and dedicated to assuring the vitality and welfare of wild Trumpeter Swans. We are the only non-profit organization working for Trumpeter Swan conservation across North America. Photo Credits: Kim Stevenson
With permission from the photographer of the photo used in the graphic "Keep Calm and Paddle On", I wanted to share the story of Kentucky (T06), the swan in the photo and graphic. Kim, along with many others, knew this swan personally. He passed away in May of this year. He touched the hearts of so many and now will continue to inspire for years to come.
From Kim:
“Oh Kentucky, you stole a piece of our heart. There was just something special and magical about you that drew us into your world, and we were instantly in love with you. From the day you hatched you were a little fighter. You first came into the loving care of our very own Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project’s licensed trumpeter swan rehab specialist, Kyna Intini. You grew and thrived under her loving care. When you were ready to move to one of our long term rehab ponds you did so with ease. You settled into pond life and made friends with the swans who visited. Your best buddy was T99 the Wanderer. Snizzle arrived and tried to drown you but that did not happen. Instead you forgave him and a few days later you and Wanderer had tamed the beast Snizzle. Now you were the three musketeers.
And then something happened. Your caregiver noticed you had difficulty holding your head up and you were simply not yourself. Arrangements were made to transport you to Shades of Hope. It was discovered you had a broken neck. We think you were hit by an incoming swan and you didn’t quite duck down far enough. That indelible spirit of survival kicked in once again and you rose to the challenge. You beat the odds and after several months in care you were once again released for long term rehab in the pond that you had grown to call your home. While you were gone, Keally (P34) joined the pond gang. Upon your return you got to meet her and now there was the pond quartet – you, Wanderer, Keally and Snizzle – not to mention all of the other swans who visit and spend time at the pond.
You continued to win the hearts and affection of all those you met. Your independence, sleeping with the random egg that was found by the pond, your friend and buddy Alabama (V56) just endeared you more to us. How you loved that random egg!
And then this past spring you discovered the beauty of a female swan. You were priceless and smart in your pursuit of the beautiful Venus. It was fun to watch you as you fluttered your wings and had love nods with your first love.
Life was good. Your healing was complete, and you took to the skies for the first time in a very long time! Once more you could fly! What an amazing accomplishment! And flew you did. You were a big grown up swan now and ready to take on the world. We found you in a new pond in the neighbourhood and you had no intention of returning home. You were on a new and exciting adventure.
But then that phone call came. It was a call that would change our lives forever. Stouffville Animal Services had found you injured. You were hurt. According to the lovely young man who called, you struck the power lines and knocked out the power to parts of the town of Stouffville. If you’re going to hit power lines, you might as well hit them big time and that you did. Once more you were transported to Shades of Hope and to Gail and her team. Initial reports indicated you would be back up and functioning in a couple of weeks. Further examination revealed that would not be the case. Upon hitting the power lines, you electrocuted yourself and there were deep internal burns. It would be a long, hard fight and the odds were not good. You tried. Gail and her team tried. You were valiant and you gave it your best shot. We thank you for doing that. We thank Gail and her team for caring for you and doing their best. And Michelle we especially thank you for all the love and care you showered on our beloved Kentucky. No one loved or cared for him more than you. We are so grateful for the time and love you invested in this special little swan! Thank you for all you do for Ontario’s trumpeter swans. We are truly blessed to have you as part of our “swan family”.
Today we released you from your pain. You crossed the rainbow bridge to the other side. Fly high and fly free beautiful little Kentucky! I am sure you are already flying high with your mama, Viola (981) and your sibling M26 who crossed the rainbow bridge ahead of you. Ray will be there with the corn bucket anytime you want a corn treat. Know that you were a much loved swan and that all who knew you will always carry a piece of you in our hearts. Good bye Kentucky and bon voyage. We will always love and remember you!
Oh, Kentucky so much has happened since you left us. Your legacy, your spirit is still with us. Your life is now inspiring so many people – not only in Ontario but across North America. Your photo was used as a fundraiser for the Trumpeter Swan Society. It is your image on the t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies they are selling to raise funds for the especially important work they do for trumpeter swans all across North America! “Remain calm and paddle on” the merchandise says. And isn’t that just exactly what you did? Despite everything that happened in your short life, you simply remained calm and paddled on. The little swan who could.
Kim, thank you so much for sharing Kentucky's story and how these magnificent birds touch our lives. And thank you to Kentucky, who will always remind us to "Keep Calm and Paddle On"
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Supporters
member and supporter for decades
I've been a trumpeter swan supporter for many years, and was fortunate to help with the Wisconsin reintroduction, volunteering to do health checks on the cygnets being raised in the ponds at my workplace.
We love birds, and particularly want to support the restoration of native species in Canada and the US.
Spectacular swans are beautiful, wild, and wonderful worth watching while wandering around the world which is worth conserving, protecting and restoring for all our healthy futures!