Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

In honor of Jody and Foxie

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Dear supporter and friend of the sanctuary, Tobin, is sponsoring a day of sanctuary in honor of beautiful Jody and the special friendship she and Foxie share. Reading Tobin’s beautiful message about Jody and Foxie makes my heart so happy:

“A few years ago there was a blog post entitled “The Beauty of Jody.” Several supporters of the sanctuary commented not only on Jody’s distinctively expressive face but, moreover, on the essence of her personality. That beauty has shown forth in her devotion to her friend Foxie. Her concern for Foxie’s health and well-being, and her companionship to Foxie during her recovery demonstrates the love, home and hope which this sanctuary offers. Thus, I wish to sponsor Jody’s birthday in her honor as well as in honor of her dear friend Foxie. Every day can be – should be – “Love a Chimpanzee Day.”

Tobin! Thank you so very much for honoring and celebrating these two special chimpanzee women, the friendship they share, and for seeing them as the incredible people they are with so much love and respect.

Jody and Foxie:

Foxie visiting Jody during her recovery from a past surgery:

A day of sanctuary

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Marcus Andrews sponsored a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and cattle today in honor of “My other half.”

Marcus, thank you for celebrating your special person by making a difference in the lives of fourteen more special individuals! We truly appreciate you thinking of them all in this way.

Missy and Annie:

For Susie and Epin

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lynn Williamson, long-time volunteer and friend of the sanctuary and it’s residents, in memory of two very special women in her life, Susie and Epin. Lynn’s lovely tribute:

“Today, May 5th, was my mother, Susie Williamson’s birthday. Tomorrow, May 6th, was her sister Epin Lewis’s birthday. Susie was born just one day shy of exactly 18 years after my Auntie Epin. Not only was Epin like a mother to Susie, she also took me on as a newborn and cared for me most of my childhood, and sheltered me into my early adulthood. These women were very different from each other. But one thing they had in common was their deep love of animals. I was well supported with all of the critters I brought into the household from pollywogs all the way up to a pony – well for one year anyway. Epin and Susie would have loved the chimps. When I see Negra clap her hands during mealtime I am reminded of my Auntie Epin in her later years – seriously the exact same clap! It makes me so happy every time. Thank you CSNW for letting me honor the memory of these two important women.”

Thank you for sharing part of your story with us, Lynn, and for making a difference in the chimps’ lives through your family memories. We’re grateful for your kind heart your mom and Auntie Epin helped nurture in their own ways and we’re hoping your memories of them bring them back to you in all their good today. Take good care, Lynn, and we hope to see you back in the chimp house before long!

Foxie and Jody:

For the entire CSNW family

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Today was sponsored by some of the amazing student interns and volunteers who we get to work with through Central Washington University and the Primate Behavior and Ecology (PBE) program!

“This is a donation from the 2018 PBE Cohort to our wonderful CSNW Family – we are so grateful for everything y’all have taught us and for introducing us to some amazing people (Chimps, cows, humans). We hope to hear some breathy pants, barrel drumming, and food smacking soon! We miss y’all so much and thank you for being a huge part of our years here. Love, Rose Amrhein, Rhiannon Belcher, Kailyn Campbell, Elizabeth Coggeshall, Erin Emerson, Rachel Fuller, Shaun Mayo, Emily Patton, and Maddie Spencer.”

This past year has been a particularly challenging one for our volunteers, all of whom have graciously weather the uncharted territory of unpredictable days and needs at the sanctuary with everything from the amazing arrival of Mave, Honey B and Willy B from Wildlife Waystation in California, to the subsequent attempts and ending of their introduction to the seven, to learning the layout and safety protocol of a new building, only to have things finally start to calm down just in time for a worldwide pandemic.

These dedicated people have consistently and joyfully shown up for their shifts, often with thoughtful gifts of support in hand, and have demonstrated patience and creativity when the days usual activities were on hold or catawampus, and worked so hard when we needed the help. And even though the current state of things is preventing them all from being here while they stay safely hunkered down at home, their support remains unwavering, even from afar. We’re so lucky to have so many amazing humans to help us provide the best lives we can for the chimpanzees!

Rose, Rihannon, Kailyn, Elizabeth, Erin, Rachel, Shaun, Emily and Maddie, thank you so much! Your support, hard work, and dedication to making the lives of so many primates better is very appreciated! The difference you do, and will continue to make with your lives and your hearts is inspiring and hopeful. We miss you all, too, and hope to see you back here soon!

One thing’s for sure, no matter where life takes you, you’ll never have another supervisor like Jamie:

Foxie and Jody:

Jody, Foxie and Burrito:

Meredith, Honey, Nutmeg and Betsy:

Annie, Missy, Foxie and Jody:

Honey B, Mave and Willy B:

Negra:

In honor of Diana

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This special day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees was sponsored by Candy Crannell in honor of Diana Goodrich (yep, our Diana! 🙂 ):

“Jane Goodall said, “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” This is Diana and her devotion to the CSNW 10. You are very much loved and appreciated for what you do. Thank you.”

Candy, thank you so much for honoring Diana today and for contributing to the lives’ of the chimpanzees and the cattle who are so dear to her heart and for whom she works so tirelessly to help ensure that all their days forward are filled with hope, love, home and sanctuary.

Today is Diana’s birthday! She isn’t one who likes a fuss made about her, but in a form true to her heart, she set up a GiveBIG Washington fundraising page inviting you to celebrate along with her (and another amazing supporter, Monica Best!) by honoring the beloved ten chimpanzees and four bovines who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest home, and if you’re able, help however you can to raise funds for their life-long care.

Happiest of birthdays to you, Diana! From our hearts, thank you for your unwavering, inspiring, heartfelt dedication to the absolute well-being of Annie, Missy, Jamie, Foxie, Jody, Negra, Burrito, Mave, Honey B, Willy B, Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey and Meredith! I don’t think a day goes by that we don’t feel grateful to our bones for you and J.B. and all you do to ensure these chimp and bovine people we love so very much have the best lives possible.

Now may we all take a moment to celebrate someone whose resiliency and mere being inspires Diana’s heart, Queen Neggie:

In memory and celebration, from Marya

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This day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and cattle was sponsored by Marya Barey in honor of her parents’ love of nature and animals:

“My parents were both nature lovers and shared that love with me from a very young age. I am very grateful for this aspect of my early experiences and all the times we shared talking about animals and in nature together.”

Thank you so much, Marya, for reaching out to make a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives in memory of your parents. It’s such a beautiful continuance of their legacy through your own heart and we’re so happy to share in honoring them here today. They sound like such lovely humans.

We’d also like to extend the happiest (of slightly belated) birthday wishes to you and hope your celebration was somehow made even brighter from the chimps’ Love a Chimpanzee Day party. Happy Birthday!

Burrito and Jody:

Betsy:

her son, Nutmeg:

It’s Love a Chimpanzee Day!

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It’s that time of year again, when thanks to the creation of chimp friend extraordinaire, Monica Best, we get to have a party in celebration of chimpanzees and our love for them! Monica sponsors this official/unofficial day each year in their honor. And this year, Monica is graciously sharing her incredible story and a heartfelt request for the chimps who bring so much to all our lives:

“Today is my favorite day of the year….nope, I’m not talking about my birthday…it’s almost LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY! Nine, or ten (we can’t quite decide) years ago, after my second battle with cancer and an uncertain future, I sponsored the first Love A Chimpanzee Day for the chimps at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, and all the chimps in the world.  I wanted to make sure there was a day to honor chimpanzees everywhere, but especially my favorite chimps at CSNW, who kept me going through the numerous cancer battles (I’ve had to battle cancer two more times, and have dealt with horrible side effects from cancer related medication). The chimps gave me so much strength, for each new battle I faced….As my thank you to these amazing beings, I try to give back to them (as often as I can) and the efforts to provide them with a wonderful life, filled with love, first class care, enrichment and lots of tasty food.  

I know times are difficult for everyone this year, but I still felt the chimps should be celebrated…not only for them, but for the joy they bring to so many…and we could certainly use a bit of joy right now. This year, I have teamed up with one of my favorite human primates, Diana Goodrich, in an effort to help our favorite non human primates. From now until May 6th, Diana and I will be working hard to raise funds for the 10 chimps that mean so much to us both. Again, I know times are difficult for so many right now, but if you are able to donate, even a small amount, to LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY or GiveBIG Washington, it would mean the world to us. You can donate to our GiveBig Washington page or directly to the sanctuary. There has been a lot of controversy, as of late, as to what constitutes a true sanctuary. I can tell you that CSNW is the epitome of a true sanctuary. CSNW exists FOR the chimps and their needs. The incredible staff and volunteers are there for the chimps, and the chimps’ well being is always the priority. Please, if you can donate to help the ten most amazing chimps, it will be so greatly appreciated.

 Again, you can donate through the GiveBIG Washington page or directly to the sanctuary…in the note section you can just say it’s for Love A Chimpanzee Day. Thank you so much for the love and support so many of you give to the organizations around the world that are helping chimps, in sanctuaries and in the wild. I truly believe that I am still here because of the Cle Elum Ten. So, please, if you can, help me honor and care for Negra, Jody, Missy, Foxie, Burrito, Jamie, Annie, Willy B, Honey B and Mave. Thank you. <3<3<3″

Monica, from our hearts, thank you so very much for all you do to help ensure the chimpanzees (and so many animals) have the lives they deserve. And for so compassionately sharing your story and your heart, giving us all the gift of knowing there is strength, gratitude, inspiration and celebration to be found even, if not especially, in the midst of difficult and uncertain times.

Happy, happy birthday, Monica!! We hope it’s the best one yet and are so happy to celebrate with you! We hope you are taking a cue from Negra and doing something exciting like walking around your yard with a pineapple in mouth.

Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day, everyone!!

Burrito:

Jody:

Mave:

Honey B and Willy B:

Foxie:

Jamie:

Annie and Missy: