A giant Happy Birthday to Don Young today! Don’s wife Karen is sponsoring today in honor of Don’s 75th birthday and shared these sentiments: “Happy 75th to my wonderful husband, Don, who has so generously supported my chimp passion so that it is now his passion as well! Here is to you and a chimp party in your honor! Love, Karen.”
The chimpanzees celebrate Don and Karen every day when they step onto Young’s Hill – the two acre habitat that the Youngs helped to fund. They also funded the greenhouse project, the termite mound on Young’s Hill, and contributed generously towards the medical clinic.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest simply wouldn’t be what it is without their help, and we can’t thank them enough.
We’ll be throwing a BIG party for Don today – check back on the blog later for photos, or get the blog posts in your inbox by subscribing – just scroll down on this page below all of the announcements, etc., put your email address in the box below the words, “Subscribe to Blog via Email,” and then click “subscribe.”
In the meantime, watch the video below of the chimpanzees first day on Young’s Hill:
Amy M says
Watching the chimps emerge into the sunshine never gets old. Many many thanks and blessings to the Youngs for all they have done for the 7.
Chris says
I never get tired of watching this video of the chimps first steps out on the hill. Happy 75th birthday Mr. Young and our many, many thanks, as well for all you and your wife have done for the magnificent 7! I am curious as to how they became involved in the Sanctuary in the first place…did they have something to do with the initial rescue and relocation to their new home?
Happy New Year to all of you!
Kathleen says
Happy Birthday to you Mr. Don Young! Thank you Don and Karen Young for your generosity in helping these 7 magnificent chimpanzees and friends to us all. Know that I’ll be celebrating your birthday back here on the east cost. And like the other replies, I too never tire of this video. It is my very, very favorite. Seeing the chimps step onto Young’s Hill and into the warm sunlight touches me deeply. Not sure if it is the music, the look on JB’s face, his pride, the slow steady sound of the gate opening, the squeals and building excitement of the awaiting chimps, Burrito’s dance, or the reassuring hugs shared by the chimps after their first steps onto the Hill….. but it seems to take my breath away every single time I see it (where is that Kleenex box?!?).
SO much to celebrate today. What a great way to start off the new year.
(And Burrito’s birthday just around the corner too!)
Lynn says
Happy birthday Don!!!! Thank you for all you and Karen do for the chimps. They just love Young’s Hill. And we volunteers get our exercise running around with Jamie 🙂
Humphrey says
I’ve seen this video dozens of times and still tear up! What an incredible gift from the Young’s (and all of the wonderful volunteers). Happy Birthday!
Karen Young says
This is our first time on line since the big 75th birthday celebration in honor of Don and enjoyed by the Cle Elum Seven! What a wonderful party!!! Thank you for the behind the scene video and for the trip down memory lane! We are so fortunate to have you all in our lives and to have been in a position to help these 7 amazing chimps. Our gifts are nothing compared to what we get in return from the chimps and from you guys. We will never forget our first trip to Cle Elum. The chimps had been there for a year. The outdoor space had been completed, but it was open to the elements, and you guys are in ski country!! Don and I both looked at each other and decided together that the chimps needed a greenhouse to enjoy in the winter. I also remember how we joked about enclosing a hill! We are so glad that, with the help of so many others and the hard work of JB and volunteers, the hill became a reality, as well as the much needed vet clinic. Every day we see the chimps enjoy the 2 acre space with the open sky above them, see them develop into real chimps, use the termite mound (when Jamie allows) and defend their territory against the neighboring moose, we are in awe of them. We are also in awe of all of the humans behind the scenes who provide them with enrichment, great food and a life of love and dignity. Thank you for throwing such a lavish party in honor of Don! He loved seeing the chimps enjoy the riches of the birthday feast and only wished I had provided him with a pinata at the party the family had for him! Happy Birthday to a great man with a great big generous heart, my husband,Don, father of two wonderful sons ,PopPop to three grandchildren and father-in-law to two beautiful daughter-in-laws, and to the many chimps, other animals and to the many humans he has helped by living the life he does. Love, Karen
Don Young says
Thanks so much to all of you for your birthday wishes and recognition of some of the contributions Karen and I have made to CSNW. It was great fun to see the chimps celebrating my 75th birthday and having as much fun as I did. The decorations and food were over the top.
CSNW is a very special place for us, as I know it is for you, and being a part of it is a rare opportunity in life.