Some of you might know already, but National Volunteer Week is celebrated annually during the third week of April. Of course, just one week isn’t nearly enough time to appreciate the volunteers of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest but it does provide a great excuse to talk about them on the blog! CSNW volunteers hold down a variety of responsibilities at the sanctuary and are all integral parts of the chimp and cattle’s care.
Our Level 1 chimp house volunteers are generally found in the kitchen and foyer spaces of the chimp house. They are hard at work doing laundry, dishes and meal/enrichment prep. There’s always a big sigh of relief from the staff when we know we have a Level 1 volunteer on the schedule because they are so helpful in completing the tasks that keep our days moving along smoothly.
Washing all those blankets day after day is a truly daunting task! Here’s volunteer Carrie moving the laundry along:
In addition to handling all the same tasks as a Level 1 volunteer, our Level 2 volunteers help staff tackle the dirty task of cleaning enclosures. Our level 2 volunteers are very important when it comes to scheduling. They help free up staff so they can work on extra projects and can even cover for us when we need time off!
Last week Level 2 volunteer Sienna did some organizing in the kitchen:
Our Level 3 volunteers are trained in all the Level 1 and 2 skills but have also been trained to provide direct care to the chimpanzees. They dedicate a lot of time, patience, and heart to meet the requirements to be a Level 3. Their commitment to the sanctuary is truly astounding.
Here’s Level 3 Volunteer Lizz and Jamie having a nice grooming session together:
And volunteers Patti and Krissy (now a staff member) going on a walk with Burrito around Young’s Hill.
We also receive help from other volunteers such as the team of medical professionals that Dr. Zamzow organizes to help us during procedures in the clinic.
And the large group of volunteers that help us with fundraisers!
Volunteers have quite literally helped build the sanctuary into what it is today.
Please join me in thanking all our hardworking volunteers. We truly couldn’t do it without you!
Volunteers ….Unselfish Devotion to a Greater Good…. :hugging:We Salute You:thumbsup::rose::bouquet::tulip::sunflower::blossom:
Thank you, Volunteers! I am in awe of what you do!
Many thanks to all the volunteers for what they do! It is truly a collaborative effort!
Thank you never seems even near enough to express our gratitude for everything you do. Truly, a very special group of people! And I know that all the chimps and bovines love you too.
Thank you to all of the volunteers for their much needed assistance in caring for the residents! I’ll bet Carrie is really appreciating the new washer and dryer!
Many thanks to the volunteers for their hard work in providing care and comfort to the residents in their home.
Thank you to all the volunteers! All you do is appreciated!
Thank you, Anna, for showing us some of the amazing people working hard behind the curtain. I’m guessing the staff and residents celebrate volunteers every day in their hearts. It’s wonderful that this week all of us out here in the blogosphere can honor CSNW volunteers and thank them for their dedication.
Thank you, everyone! Can’t begin to express how much I appreciate you.
Thank you so much for giving your heart to our wonderful little sanctuary.
:heart::heart::heart: To all you volunteers at our very special sanctuary -and beyond- thankyou for the love, dedication and commitment in providing unfailing support to the beloved chimps, bovines and humans who go that extra mile day in day out. You are stars!!!
Thank you to all of the volunteers at CSNW! You guys are the oil that keeps everything running!
Loads of kudos to the volunteers! I deeply respect your precious contribution to the maintenance and care of the house and the community!:rose:
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS? THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF ANY FACILITY THAT HAS TO RELY ON HELP FROM OTHERS TO KEEP THE PLACE GOING. WE’D BE LOST WITHOUT THEM.