Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Happy Birthday, Amy!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julia Simpson in honor of her mom, Amy Simpson, on her 85th birthday! Amy, Julia wishes you “the happiest birthday!”

Julia, you do so much to make a difference in the lives of the chimpanzees and we are touched that you would include them as you honor your mom today. Thank you for thinking of them in this way!

And Amy, thank you for sharing your celebration with the chimps! We hope you have a beautiful day full of love, comfort and all that brings you joy. Happy Birthday from all of us here at CSNW!

Jamie and her good friend, Foxie, are good at finding the joy in life:

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Today is for Bruce!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Charlie Neath in honor of Bruce Wagman! Bruce and his wife, Deb, have been compassionate and committed advocates for the chimpanzees and volunteer their time with the sanctuary in countless ways. Bruce serves as a member of our Board of Directors helping to ensure the chimpanzees’ are provided with the quality lives and security they deserve. He works tirelessly to improve the lives of so many of the special animals we share our lives with and we couldn’t be more honored to have he and Deb as part of our sanctuary family.

In knowing Bruce, Charlie’s message about sponsoring this day in his honor is simple yet apropos: “Bruce Wagman: ’nuff said.” And we would throw in lots of loud and raucous pant-hoots to go along with that!

Charlie, thanks so much for honoring Bruce today while making a difference in the lives of the chimps he does so much for.

And Bruce, we could never thank you enough for all you do to make this world a better place for the amazing animals (and humans!) who we share it with. Have the best of days!

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Happy Birthday, Jeane!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Jeane Williamson! Jeane is a good friend to the chimpanzees and she also works passionately to rescue hundreds of dogs, helping them to find their forever homes. Today also happens to be Jeane’s birthday and she has generously chosen to celebrate by giving the chimps’ a special day. Jeane shared this message about today:

“We are to be the stewards of the animals here on earth and we have failed miserably by using wild animals for research, entertainment, and a myriad of equally onerous objectives. My heart goes out to the elephants and tigers in the circus, the chimps and dogs and rabbits used for research and all the other animals that are used and abused by us humans. I am SO THANKFUL that you guys stepped up, saw this horrific situation and ACTED on it. What a huge undertaking of heart and faith on your part. It does my heart good to see them free, running and playing, enjoying life for the first time. I thank you for stepping up to help them and I pray that others will be as fortunate who are caught in the same horrific situation, or one similar. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This donation is a birthday gift to myself. Thank you for making it possible!”

Jeane, thank you so much for choosing to celebrate your own special day by making a difference for the chimpanzees! And thank you so much for all that you do for the animals we share our lives with and for helping so many dogs find the homes and lives they deserve. Happy Birthday from all of us here at CSNW!

Burrito:

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In memory of Carlene

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored in memory of Carlene Olson-Garza by her husband, Tony, and their family who send this special message:

“Today would of have been Carlene’s 58th birthday. She was an advocate for the great work CSNW is doing and an avid follower of the blog. We, her family, mark this day in memory of her by our continued support of the seven.”

As you may recall, as a result of our wonderfully successful Share the Chimp Love fundraiser in February we were able to build the chimpanzees a new climbing structure on Young’s Hill. As part of the campaign two generous families, one of which was the Garza family, won naming rights to the two towers. The tower with the roof was named Carlene’s Tower and the open-air tower was named Jamie’s Lookout by Joan and Pat Borders. And let me tell you the chimps have been loving this structure!!

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We here at the sanctuary, are honored by Carlene’s presence every day. When we walk around Young’s Hill with Jamie, we pass Carlene’s memorial stone along our new Memorial Walkway. Just in the distance of the walkway, is Carlene’s Tower. The chimpanzees sometimes take a detour during walks around the perimeter to climb up one of the towers and often sit quietly to take in the view before crossing over and down the other side to resume the walk. The only person we haven’t seen climb this amazing structure (yet!) is Negra. But she has ventured up to check things out and enjoy the abundance of wild mustard that grows below it in the spring.

To Carlene’s family, our hearts go out to you as you navigate your lives without this special woman whom you all clearly love so much. We are continually touched and inspired by all that you do to ensure her love of the chimpanzees continues. As we all celebrate Carlene’s life today, please know that not only you, but Carlene as well, make a difference in their lives every day. And we are so fortunate to have you all as part of our sanctuary family.

Missy taking in the view from Carlene’s Tower:

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Annie:

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Burrito:

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Boss lady, Jamie:

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Foxie, taking in the view from Jamie’s Lookout on the opposite side:

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Jamie:

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Happy Birthday, John!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was also sponsored by Juliana Olmstead, along with family and friends, in celebration of her boyfriend, John Barbagallo, on his birthday! Juliana organized a fundraiser for John through Crowd Rise in which all proceeds will be donated to the chimpanzees! Juliana shared this message about today:

“John Barbagallo’s friends and family are sponsoring this day in honor of his 40th birthday. John has been passionate about animal rescue for many years, and his birthday wish was to make a contribution to this amazing sanctuary.”

Juliana, and John’s friends and family, thank you so much! This is such a fantastic idea and we are so touched that you all would come together to do something so special for John and the chimpanzees.

John, thank you so much for your compassion and dedication to the amazing animal beings we share the earth with. We so appreciate you sharing your own special day with the chimpanzees and all of you making a difference in their lives. All of the primates here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest wish you a happy birthday full of pant-hoots and food grunts. Just channel your inner Burrito if you need help with the latter:

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Happy Birthday, Dorothy!

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We are so fortunate to have two sponsors for this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! Laura Gargano is starting the day off in celebration of her mother, Dorothy Gargano, for her birthday! Laura shared this special message about today:

“My mother has always had a love for gorillas and chimps and this helps highlight the plight of so many chimps who still live in labs around the world.” 

Laura, this is such an inspired and compassionate way to honor your mother. Thank you so much for making a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives while bringing awareness to all those who are still awaiting their own day of sanctuary.

Dorothy, thank you for sharing your own special day, as well as your passion for great apes, with all of us.  We hope you have the most beautiful of birthdays!

A Jody-style celebration involves comfort, joy, and occasionally kicking up your heels:

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Happy Birthday, Keri!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Pat and Dave Heniff in honor of their daughter, Keri, on her birthday! Yep, this is “our” Keri, caregiver and enrichment coordinator extraordinaire here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! Keri’s parents shared this message about today:

“It makes us happy to know Keri is working doing something she loves. We are happy to be able to sponsor a day for the chimps honoring her on this special day. Happy Birthday Keri.”

Pat and Dave, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees as you celebrate your amazing daughter on her special day. It’s so lovely of you to honor her passion while making a difference in the lives of the chimps she holds dear. The humans and the chimpanzees couldn’t ask for a better friend and colleague.

Keri, your compassion, dedication and kindest of hearts are clear in all that you do and I think you must be a blessing to everyone you meet. We are so grateful to have you as part of our family, too. Happy, happiest of days and celebrations to you!

Keri and Jamie:

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Our boss, Jamie, sends birthday pant hoots to you and expects you to wear cowgirl boots all the live long day. What kind of celebration would it be otherwise?:

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