Here are some shots of the new mural. Thank you all for donating to this project. Though it was several months ago, you remain permanently appreciated!
Artist Kim in front of the mural, just after completing it.
Missy checking it out:
Sanctuary
Old projects and new projects
Life with chimpanzees is wonderful, but it is far from predictable. Sometimes things don’t happen when you plan (and vice versa). Awhile back, we did a fundraising drive to raise money for a new door in the chimps’ enclosure. In exchange for donations, we promised to paint donors’ names on a new mural in the outdoor area. Well, we may be slow, but we do keep our promises! Today, volunteer Kim McAndrews (who is our volunteer graphic designer from Peach Design who designed the Out of the Box auction logo, among many other things) is working hard on that mural. Here are a couple of shots of a work in progress:
As if that isn’t enough excitement for one day, David Binczewski (of Booshoot Gardens fame) and volunteer Ken Mikkelsen are here helping J.B. plant the first round of bamboo on Young’s Hill.
We’ll be sure to share more photos when the projects are completed!
Way, way Out of the Box
We had an incredible evening on Friday. The volunteers did a fantastic job and the attendees clearly had a great time bidding.
The Out of the Box auction so far has raised over $100,000
and the online auction continues to go strong – currently at $14,400.
More soon about the event – I just wanted to share the incredible news of the success of the evening and the online auction so far. Thank you, everyone, for your participation, and an especially big thank you to all of the volunteers, donors and sponsors who made the event possible. I am so full of gratitude for everyone’s generosity. Wow.
Intruder
While no match for equatorial Africa, living in rural Cle Elum does afford the chimpanzees some interesting experiences. The other day a garter snake made its way into the chimp house, and the chimps let their feelings on the matter be known.
Jamie in repose
Our enrichment theme for today is “Jody Day.” Why should Jody have to wait for her birthday to get all of her favorite things? So we put out lots of blankets and straw for nests, cattails, fresh produce from the garden, sunflowers, and buckets of soapy water. All the chimps seemed to enjoy their Jody day. Here’s a picture I snapped of Jamie reclining amidst the straw and cattails. I love how she’s holding up her right elbow with her left foot!
Great way to start the day
One of the things that we stress to our staff and volunteers is that our attitudes have a significant effect on the chimps. We all know from personal experience with friends, family, and coworkers that moods can be contagious, so we try to shake off whatever is bothering us before we go into the chimp house. The last thing the chimps need is for us to bring them down!
It works the other way as well – the chimps can really influence how we feel about our “day at the office”. Some chimps are particularly influential. If Jamie is in a bad mood, we’re in for a rough day, to say the least. But if she’s happy, we’re happy.
For me, there is one individual in particular that has the ability to brighten my morning no matter what side of the bed I wake up on. This morning, as I opened the door to greet the chimps, Foxie was waiting, troll in hand, to launch into a full-on game of “pass the troll” with some flips and spins thrown in. Not a bad way to start the day.
Felicity Day 6
This month’s Felicity Day (the 6th in a series) is from Lue Clifford, Felicity grandmother.
As you know if you’ve been following the blog for a while, for her birthday this year, Felicity Wood asked her loved ones to donate to the sanctuary in honor of her birthday. And they did -we’ve been happily celebrating Felicity day’s since May and donations raised went to our Anniversary Fundraising. Thank you Lue and thank you Felicity for helping to support the care of the Cle Elum Seven!
Happy Felicity Day Six from Jamie, Negra, Jody, Missy, Annie, Foxie and Burrito.
Here’s handsome Burrito to say thanks:
People you love would love to give to your chimpanzee friends in your honor. Just send people this link to the donation form: http://sponsoradayforchimps.kintera.org/ and this link to take a peak at the Sponsor-a-Day calendar: https://chimpsnw.org/you_can_help/donate/#SponsorADay
