Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

Today is in honor of Monica and Love a Chimpanzee Day!

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Join us in celebrating Love a Chimpanzee Day by honoring this day with a donation of any size on what also happens to be the first day of early giving for GiveBIG!

Donate specifically in honor of Monica (leave a birthday note for her) on our joint birthday fundraising page or on our general GiveBIG page – all funds, which are very much needed right now, go directly towards all the costs associated with providing the individualized care we give at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

It all started in 2010 when donor Monica declared April 23rd (her birthday) to be Love a Chimpanzee Day and sponsored the day in memory of her cat Ozzie.

Monica sent a care package of toys for the (then) seven chimpanzees, and you can see the video of them enjoying that day here.

It’s difficult to avoid the nostalgia that watching that video, and thinking of other Love a Chimpanzee Days in the past, brings up. One favorite memory for Monica was from the 2011 Love a Chimpanzee Day when Burrito so graciously posed with a photo of Duran Duran, Monica’s favorite band.

Burrito loves Duran Duran

So much has changed at the sanctuary in the ensuing years. It wasn’t until the fall of 2011 that Young’s Hill, the outdoor area for Jamie’s group, came to fruition.

Then there was adding additional land to the sanctuary property, bringing the total to over 110 acres, followed by welcoming four bovine friends to our little family to help us keep the pasture grass under control.

The last six years have been the busiest in terms of construction and expansion.

Back in 2010, we couldn’t have envisioned what the sanctuary would look like today. Or the joy, delight, excitement, love, laughter (and, let’s be real here, worry, stress, and sleepless nights) that the group of nine chimpanzees (three plus six) from Wildlife Waystation would introduce into our lives, nor the incredible volunteer and staff caregivers who would join the team and the amazing supporters who would add their valuable insight, encouragement, and donations – making all of this possible.

We couldn’t have predicted that it would be so many years before we were faced with the loss of a sanctuary resident or that it would be beautiful and loyal Jody and gentle giant Nutmeg who we would say goodbye to within a year.

Throughout it all, Monica has been with us, donating towards every conceivable fundraiser and providing support that goes well beyond monetary gifts.

Thank you, Monica! Happy birthday and happy Love a Chimpanzee Day 2024!!

Don’t forget to donate in honor of Monica on our joint birthday fundraising page or on our general GiveBIG page for early giving during Washington State’s days of giving!

 

 

Today is Sponsored for Jason Merritt!

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Join us in celebrating Jason Merritt today! Jason is connected to the sanctuary in many ways. His wife Krissy and he live locally and they have been supporters of the sanctuary for years. Krissy is also an extremely dedicated volunteer, currently transitioning to paid staff (more on that in a later post).

Jason is an all-around handy guy. He’s done some work at the sanctuary, and offers his talents and assistance to other locals. Recently, in lieu of being paid for work for another sanctuary supporter, Jason offered that they instead make a donation to their mutual chimpanzee friends, so this sponsor-a-day is in honor of his generosity.

Thank you so much, Jason!

In Memory of Karen Creason

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Many of you know the names Margaret Parkinson and Karen Creason. Margaret and Karen were early donors to the sanctuary. We first met them in person when they came to the open house event before the first group of chimpanzees arrived in 2008.

I remember them pulling up in the driveway with their car overflowing with blankets and toys for the chimpanzees-to-come and balloons sticking up and whipping around in the wind above their sun roof.

They stepped out of the car with smiles a mile wide, laughing and full of joy.

In the early days, they were kitchen volunteers in the chimp house, baking treats, making night bags, doing laundry, and charming us all.

Over the years, J.B. and I managed to insert ourselves into their lives, which was quite easy because they were so welcoming and also overly complimentary of our work. If ever we were feeling overwhelmed or down, a call or visit with Margaret and Karen would lift our spirits immediately.

Karen would remark over and over how wonderful we were and how delightful it was to be together as we shared stories of the chimpanzees. She had a particular connection with Negra.

Karen had many interests, and we would often talk about current events or movies or documentaries. She was a collector, an advocate, an artist, and a writer, and she lit up when sharing her latest writings or treasured objects with us.

She and Margaret last visited the sanctuary together in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Of course, for these two, a plain ordinary mask would not do…

Karen passed away on December 31st, Margaret’s birthday.

Margaret was with Karen through all the difficulties that aging and declining health introduced. Their lives together are an inspiration for what love, marriage, and commitment can be, and we feel so lucky that they happened into our lives.

If you would like to make a donation in Karen’s honor, you can do that on our donation page or by becoming a Pal to Negra. I will be sure to let Margaret know!

Happy Birthday, Jeffrey!

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From all the primates here at CSNW, a big heartfelt thank you to Jeffrey Abramczyk for sponsoring this day of sanctuary!

“Today’s my birthday and what better way to celebrate it then sponsoring a day to celebrate with the CSNW residents!”

We totally agree, Jeffrey- thank you so much for sharing your celebration with us! We hope you have a wonderful day- cheers to you!

In honor of your celebration, here’s some photos of the chimps celebrating too!

Cy:

Honey B:

Sweet, sweet Jody:

Missy:

Negra:

Willy B:

 

 

Celebrations, Forages, and Sunshine!

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Today we celebrate a long-time supporter of the sanctuary! Karen Young and her family have made so many things possible for the chimps in our care and we are so very grateful. From Young’s Hill to Ryan’s Lookout on The Bray, they continue to help provide amazing moments in the chimps lives. Karen- from each and every one of us here, thank you and happy, happy birthday!

Today, all the chimps enjoyed forages of avocado cups, corn, celery, and more! It’s been a beautiful sunny day here in Cle Elum so Jamie’s group enjoyed the forage on Young’s Hill. I hope you enjoy the photos and videos from today!

Burrito enjoying his forage on Young’s Hill:

Cy, staring lovingly at his corn:

Foxie enjoying a moment of sunshine on Young’s Hill:

Gordo choosing to enjoy his corn behind the cover of bamboo plants:

Honey B, mid-forage:

Rayne enjoying her avocado cups:

Jamie, after a moment of grooming with her caregivers:

Annie, waiting for the lunch forage on Young’s Hill:

Members of Cy’s Group exploring Ryan’s Lookout (sponsored by Karen Young and her family in memory of their son, Ryan) for the first time:

in Memory of Jody from a New Friend

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We have said it before and will continue to thank everyone for the outpouring of messages honoring Jody and our shared grieving.

Today’s sponsor-a-day is also in memory of Jody, but not by someone who has been following the sanctuary for a long time. Here is the message from Cheryl Davis:

In memory of sweet Jody. Until two days ago I did not know about Jody or the sanctuary. Thank you for caring for her, loving her and all the other chimps.

Thank you, Cheryl, for taking the time to learn about Jody and the sanctuary and for being moved to make a donation dedicated to her. I can’t seem to find the words to articulate how heartening it is to know that Jody continues, in her passing, to capture the hearts of caring people.

I keep thinking back to these two photos we took of Jody the very first day she first arrived at the sanctuary when she was 33 years old.

The first one shows why we described Jody and everyone in her group as “aging in reverse” these last 15 years.

The second one really moves me, because Jody became known for her GIANT nests, and was not afraid of taking up space, but on that first day, she took just two blankets and made the tightest little nest around her.

What a privilege to have been able to watch and share as Jody embraced her sanctuary life and lived each day to the fullest. Thank you again, Cheryl, for being moved enough to sponsor this day in her honor and memory.

jody in sandbox

 

For the Nine and For Jen!

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We are so very grateful to Jen Feuerstein for sponsoring this day of sanctuary in honor of such a special anniversary! One year ago today we opened the final door and officially integrated Cy’s group and Willy B’s group. Jen was here that day and the days leading up to it, playing a pivotal role in making it happen.

Here’s what Jen said in her sponsor-a-day message:

“Can you believe it’s been a year since the doors were opened to put all 9 chimps from WW together? Congrats on this momentous anniversary!”

Since that day one year ago, we have had a group of nine. As Anna said in her blog post one year ago, I think it’s safe to say that we are all still cautiously optimistic. It hasn’t been all hugs and parties, though there have been a lot of those! It’s a challenge to put chimpanzees together and we are still experiencing some challenges, but also so many heartwarming moments.

Thank you so much, Jen, for sponsoring this special anniversary- and for playing such a crucial role in bringing these chimpanzees together!

The group of nine, one year ago today:

In the last year, we’ve proudly watched special relationships form between individuals (like Dora and Mave!) as the group figures out their new normal.

More recent photos of the group of nine:

From our whole family here at CSNW – thank you so much for everything, Jen!!!