AUBURN - Some alpacas gave the community more than just their wool.

Instead, they helped raise funds to benefit Special Olympics athletes.

Infinity Acres, an alpaca farm near Cato, Claddagh Farms of Baldwinsville, and several other breeders brought their alpacas to the Tractor Supply Company parking lot over the weekend, as part of Alpaca Fun Days. In addition to selling alpaca-related merchandise and other goods, guests could visit with and pet the animals, which were corralled in a makeshift paddock set up in the lot.

The idea of using alpacas to raise funds for the Special Olympics came from Laura Steere, the owner of Infinity Acres and Claddagh Farms owner Sarah Lamanna.

In addition to raising alpacas, both women are Special Olympics coaches.

“Since we have those things in common, we thought this would be a fun way to educate people about alpacas, their environmentally friendly aspects, and their incredible fiber,” Steere said.“Since we also have a passion for the Special Olympics, we thought we could combine the two and raise money for a very worthwhile organization.”

The Special Olympics team, based in Phoenix, plays soccer in the fall, floor hockey in the winter and basketball in the spring and summer. The team also plans to compete in the annual state games, which are being held in Albany June 16-18.

“New York state has over 40,000 Special Olympics athletes, and it has one of the largest groups of competitors in the nation,” Steere said. “Anyone from age 8 to.... whatever, can compete in the games.”

Alpacas are members of the llama family. The animals originated as part of the Incan civilization in South America and are now being raised in North America and abroad, Steere said. They produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers and the wool comes in 22 basic colors - more than any other fiber-producing animal, Steere said.