planters for autism

Pandas and rabbits and pigs, oh my! Endowment fund for families affected by autism

Jun 24, 2019 | 4:07 PM

PRINCE GEORGE–It takes an artistic eye to turn a wine carboy into a four legged animal, and that’s exactly what Don Bassermann is doing to support families affected by autism.

Bassermann first started making the pet planters in his gardening classes, teaching his students how to add a pop of colour, and sparkle of cute to their gardens. One of Basserman’s grandchildren was diagnosed with autism and it got his wheels turning. He wanted to know how he could help other families affected by the financial impacts of autism.

“As a family with an autistic child amoung us–we ‘re in a position to address some of the needs that the young fellow would have. But we understand that lots of families don’t. Whether it is specialized swimming lessons a weighted blanket…sometimes costs a few hundred dollars.” – Don Basserman, Pet Planter artist

Bassermann takes recycled products, and creates pig, cat, elephant, panda, and rabbit planters which are going for a $100 donation to the Autism Endowment Fund he started with the Prince George Community Foundation. His goal is to reach $10,000 and is currently at $7,000.