Owner of Heaven's Wildlife Rescue Peggy  Jenkins holds Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)Owner of Heaven's Wildlife Rescue Peggy Jenkins holds Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)
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Oil Springs 'Ollie' Predicts Early Spring (Gallery)

Oil Springs Ollie says it'll be an early spring. The groundhog did not see his shadow Tuesday morning, before greeting over 200 students at Lambton Central Centennial School.

The three-and-a-half-year-old groundhog is cared for by Heaven's Wildlife Rescue. Principal Cindy Kramer says during the month of February, she's encouraging her students to help out the animal shelter. "By collecting items that they can use at Heaven's Wildlife Rescue, like toilet paper rolls and Kleenex, and small toys for the animals to play with. Small amounts of money, like a loonie or toonie. We're not asking for big amounts of money from the students," says Kramer.

"The students are really excited about today too, they will have an opportunity to learn about groundhogs, learn about Heaven's Wildlife Rescue." Owner Peggy Jenkins says they're holding education sessions with the students to teach them more about groundhogs and other types of animals they have at the shelter. She says they care for about 300 orphaned animals. Oil Spring's Ollie's counterparts in Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania also predicted an early spring this morning. However, Ontario's Wiarton Willie was alone in seeing his shadow, declaring there will be six more weeks of winter.

Principal Cindy Kramer meets Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)Principal Cindy Kramer meets Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)

Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)

February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)

Students at Lambton Centennial Public School wait for Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)Students at Lambton Centennial Public School wait for Oil Springs Ollie. February 2, 2016. Photo by Jake Jeffrey (blackburnnews.com)

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