Monica Best wanted to do something special for J.B. so she composed this incredibly nice note below and sent him a gift card to Lowes.
J.B. has spent the last two days, with the help of new part-time employee Jake, constructing the start to new structures on the hill. With the end of the Comfort & Joy auction yesterday, where we exceeded our goal for all of the Big Funds, including climbing structures, it seemed appropriate to relish the Comfort & Joy aspects of today and also to take a moment to acknowledge J.B. for all of his hard work.
Here’s Monica’s message to him:
Dear J.B.
I can still remember watching the video of The Bray being unveiled. As I excitedly watched the chimps explore the fascinating new addition to their home, I remember being in awe of the new structures. Then, I recalled a conversation I had with Diana a few months prior. Just a normal “hey, how you doing” chat. She was updating me on the chimps and said you were out working on the new structures for The Bray. Almost jokingly, I asked if you were doing it by yourself. When she said, “pretty much”, I thought, that’s a lot of work for one person. At that moment I believed you were Superman.
Now, jump forward to the unveiling and realizing just how incredible the structures were and how much work you must have put into them, I thought, he’s not Superman, he’s a magical unicorn.
I called Diana and told her how incredible the structures were and how flabbergasted I was that you had done all that work on your own.
I asked her if we could do something to show our appreciation and gratitude. At first, we came up with a whole J.B. Appreciation Week. But, soon realized that, like most Magical Unicorns that create amazing things, grant magical wishes and can turn a barren piece of land into a Chimpanzee Paradise, with a simple touch of their alicorn; They, themselves, don’t always prefer grand, flashy declarations and constant praise. That kind of laud actually can make them uncomfortable.
As sometime went by, and the Comfort and Joy Auction was getting started, I asked Diana if this might be a good time to quietly show our appreciation for your tireless devotion and care of the chimps we all love so much. It just seemed fitting, since you bring the chimps so much
Comfort and Joy (and so much more), never asking anything in return.
So, Diana has a little present for you, that will hopefully help to get some tools and supplies, to aid in your magical unicorn tasks, that bring so much to the chimps. Diana also had a wonderful idea to add a fund a cause to the auction, to raise money for new structures….and I know the amazing Sanctuary supporters will make sure the goal is reached.
I truly don’t know how to tell you how much you and all your hard work and dedication are appreciated by so many.
I’m always in awe of everyone at the sanctuary and all you do to ensure the chimps live their best lives. Lives filled with joy, friends, enrichment, safety….and so much more. Lives where the atrocities they endured, before arriving at the sanctuary, have slowly faded into the back of their minds and the fear, pain and loneliness of the past are become a distant memory.
Words can never be enough….
But, thank you for all you do.
With love from all CSNW supporters, volunteers, staff and most importantly….The Chimps.
P.S. Regarding the nest-building contest – Amanda and I quickly conceded to Grace and Ellen, who were seen in the video. Now that we know what the competition is like, we might challenge them to a rematch in the future.
amazing nest building, Grace and Ellen! JB, thank you for all your hard work constructing structures for the chimps, it’s obvious that they really appreciate it :hugging::pray:
Wonderful posting with all kinds of great news — successful fund-raising, great new structures growing from the ground (with much hard work to keep them there!), and wonderful nest-building shots. The chimps nesting activities have rubbed off on me, esp as winter progresses. More blankets! More playthings within arm’s reach within the nest! Just plain MORE! Will make for good hibernation for me as the winter in northern WA progresses.
Congratulations on reaching the goal!
Since “the Escher” is on the Bray now, will one of the new structures on Young’s Hill have a ramp-like access for a certain round senior who can climb, but might prefer a walk-up?
I love how everyone was excited to test them out except for Miss Quality Control herself.
And that’s a LOT of mowing you guys did!
Monica, thank you for your generous, continuing support of the sanctuary.
I am forever in awe of our hard working co-directors J.B. and Diana. I will be anxious to see the new climbing structures and who will be first to make the climb.
Great work, J.B., lovely letter, Monica! Congrats on the fundraising success!
Thank you Monica for your lovely letter highlighting the amazing efforts of J.B. and great news about the auction funds exceeding the goals. As for the nest building i say pile on the blankets, more please. The Northwest winter cometh.
Monica writes “Words can never be enough….” Words may never be enough but they can be perfectly perfect.
Sending thanks and love to our hardworking Magical Unicorn — for all you have done, all you do, and all you aspire to do.
The nest building was perfection, too! Even if Honey B, nest builder extraordinaire, was not impressed. Terry looked wowed! I saw an issue of AARP in a nest. I’m assuming that nest was for Negra?
I think Missy and the gang are thrilled with the semi-completed structures. As is! Cannot wait to see each groups excitement over the final product!
J.B., Diana, Monica, staff, volunteers, interns, vendors, friends and supporters….. I believe the chimpanzees and bovines have a whole fleet of unicorns who hold them in their hearts.
A thousand thanks J B for all your herculean labours for the chimps and bovines in your care. Monica covered it all with her praises and all the team’s hard work paid off. I appreciated the video and crazy nest building photo with the ” human” chimp having a well deserved rest. Also, great news that the Comfort and Joy venture was a raging sucess. You all go from strength to strength!