Oregano, a rescued harbor seal from Wellfleet, recently got a helping flipper from the Junior Friends of Plumb Library.

The youth sold baked goods at the library’s September book sale and then discussed possible community needs they could fund. Someone suggested adopting an animal at the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay, and everyone agreed.

For $35 they could adopt a seal that was stranded or injured in some way. The fee helps pay the center to care for seals and sea turtles. With their funds, the Junior Friends adopted Oregano, a male harbor seal who was found on a New Hampshire beach in October with an upper respiratory infection, body lesions, parasitic infections and a case of seal pox, according to the National Marine Life Center's blog.

The center hopes to release Oregano soon, and if possible, the Junior Friends will be there to see their seal swim off.

“I think it's gonna be really cool to see it go out into the sea when it gets better,” said Junior Friend Allison Winters.

The seal is one of two that the center nursed back to health this fall. A female seal named Tarragon was released on Nov. 25 at Scusset Beach after a successful stay at the center.

Tarragon was taken in by a boater who thought she was in distress. She was netted, which “caused her to stress out big time,” said Ashley Bolbrock, the center’s fundraising and program administrator.

Although the mariner meant well, Bolbrock said wild animals should be left alone. For those that are injured, the center is a place of healing, and with the community's help, seals and sea turtles get the care, medicine and food they need. Adopters also benefit.

For their donation, the Junior Friends received a membership to the center, a certificate of adoption and a stuffed plush seal as a reminder.

Said Sydney Musgrove, one of the Junior Friends, “I'm glad we could help the seal.”

Those interested in adopting a rescued animal may visit nmlc.org.

The Junior Friends have also used their time and funds to help out the library and the community. They donated funds towards gift baskets auctioned off at Saturday's Open House and made decorations for gift baskets that the Rochester Lions Club will give to those in need this holiday season.