Local Alpaca herd helps with oil spill

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) - A local farm thousands of miles away from the Gulf Coast oil spill is doing its part to help contain the devastating disaster.

Once the owners of Glen Ridge Farms learned they could help, they immediately signed up and they're hoping that others will help as much as they can.

The Alpaca herd at Glen Ridge Farm has a higher calling. Their fleece or fiber will be used to help clean up the oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ann Fiore and her husband Kevin own the farm where Alpacas are bred and their fiber harvested. They received an email about how Alpaca fiber can help clean-up the oil in the Gulf.

"The minute we saw the email it was compelling that we knew we had to participate," said Ann Fiore.

Within 30 minutes they were committed to donating a good portion of their Alpaca fiber.

"I know we have over a thousand pounds."

The Alpacas were all sheared last week and now Ann and Kevin are waiting to ship the fiber to the Gulf. The ultra soft fiber would normally be used to make a sweater or a pair of socks. But, this year most of it will be used to absorb oil.

"So often there's these incredible situations that occur and you feel helpless. You can't participate and the minute something comes in, and we feel useful. We felt like we could make a difference. It was a no-brainer."

Ann said it's very rewarding to have the feeling of making a difference and wants anyone when faced with this or any situation to do the same.

"We all comprise and make up this world we live in, and we need to just continue to improve it, and make it a better place."

One thing that they did not think about was shipping. They're hoping a local company will at least defray the cost of shipping to the Gulf Coast states.