Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

Happy Birthday, Shelly!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Michael Horton in honor of his sister, Shelly Horton, on her birthday! Michael shared this wonderful message about today:

“My sister is the biggest chimpanzee fan in the world. In lieu of pursuing a career in Primatology, which is something she always wanted and still wants, she chose to become a teacher so 10-year-olds across our community will always be aware of the plight of the chimpanzee.”

In having the good fortune of getting to know Shelly as one of our incredible supporters, it’s been so wonderful to learn of her long-time love and respect for chimpanzees. Through her dedication and passion to help bring awareness to the issues chimpanzees face, she helps inspire her daughter and students so that they might feel empowered to make a difference in the world around them. What an incredible gift to give, not only for the chimpanzees, but for a young generation that the future of chimpanzees will depend upon.

Michael, thank you so much for celebrating Shelly by making the chimps’ lives better! We appreciate all that you and your family do for them and are thrilled to honor Shelly here today!

Shelly, thank you for all the support you, Lainey, and your students have shown the chimpanzees, we so appreciate all that you do! Never underestimate the ripple effect your compassion will have in the world. All of the primates here at CSNW wish you the best birthday yet surrounded by all that makes your heart happy!! And to start your day off, we’re sharing photos of people in your life who I know do just that:

Shelly’s adorable daughter, Lainey, with her impressive stuffed primate collection, begun by her mom:

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We recently shared copies of “A Chimpanzee Tale” by Karen Young with Shelly’s amazing 5th grade students in Texas. They made the chimpanzees a beautifully detailed Christmas tree and birthday cards for Burrito in celebration of his recent 33rd birthday! We so appreciate the care and interest these children show for the chimpanzees and are thrilled to see them making a difference in the chimps’ lives as they learn about the amazing beings we share the earth with.

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And of course, Shelly’s handsome pal, Burrito:

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Today is in honor of “Best Buddies”

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by an anonymous supporter on his wife’s birthday in honor of “Best Buddies.” To our anonymous supporters, thank you so much! This is such a lovely sponsorship and in celebrating your best buddy, you honor the chimpanzees and those they hold dear, making it possible for them to experience life as they deserve. And we are immensely grateful for that. All of us here at the sanctuary wish you both a day of joy, comfort and love as you celebrate! And Happy Birthday!

Best buddies come in many forms and are not exclusive to human relationships. Whether on the go, at rest, or even having a disagreement, Annie and Missy are never far from one another’s side:

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Missy chase Annie

Missy Annie running behind

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Happy Birthday, Brooke!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Shani Sillence in honor of her goddaughter, Brooke Fiddian, on her 13th birthday! Shani shared this lovely message about today:

“Today is Brooke‘s 13th birthday and I wanted to get her something special. She has a great love for animals and loves everything to do with helping them. I know she will especially love the Chimpanzees at the sanctuary.”

Shani, thank you so much for sponsoring today in honor of Brooke! We are so touched that you thought of the chimpanzees when wanting to celebrate Brooke and her special day!

Brooke, you sound like such an amazing person and we are thrilled to celebrate your birthday with you! Thank you so much for seeing how special animals are and for sharing your day with the chimps – you’ve helped to make their lives better.

We also understand that you and your family recently moved to the United States from Australia! All of us here at the sanctuary send you the warmest of welcomes, both to your new home and to our sanctuary family! Big changes and new places can be exciting and scary all at the same time. These chimpanzees are some of the bravest people I know and they inspire us every day with their courage. Maybe as you get to know them they might offer some inspiration on enjoying all the new things life can bring while holding on to family, friends, and all that brings you love, comfort and happiness.

From all of us here at CSNW, Happy Birthday, Brooke! We hope you have a beautiful day!

Annie, Foxie and Troll:

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Foxie and Dora exploring new territory:

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And since Burrito just celebrated his 33rd birthday, he would probably want to remind you to party by eating your favorite foods. All day. 🙂

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Happy Birthday, Manuela!

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Today’s day of sanctuary is sponsored by Manuela Santacreu! Manuela is celebrating her birthday today and shared this lovely message:

“My birthday will be even more beautiful if I know that I am contributing to the happiness of these seven superb chimpanzees! For my 40th birthday, I spent a month in the Congo with chimpanzees while with Help International. I really hope to see Foxie and friends for my 50th! Best French regards!”

Manuela, thank you so much for sharing your special day with the chimpanzees and for choosing to celebrate your life by making a difference in their lives! We truly appreciate your support and hope you are able to visit the sanctuary one day. Have a beautiful day full of all that makes your heart happy, and from all of us here at CSNW, we wish you the happiest of birthdays!

Foxie and her beloved Dora:

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Thank you, Ron!

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In welcoming this new year, we also welcome a new supporter and friend to our sanctuary family! Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored for the chimpanzees by Ron Michaud! Ron shared that he just learned of the chimpanzees and the history of the sanctuary while speaking with our Co-Director, JB Mulcahy, during a flight they shared and he added this message about today, “What a great thing he has done for these chimps!! Hope they get more to add to the family.”

I always say that working here is less of a job and more a way of life. We are all so passionate about the chimpanzees and if you speak to any of us for very long you are most likely going to hear about each of these amazing beings and the incredible group of people who have come together (to include each of you) to make their lives in sanctuary possible. And as we look at providing wonderful futures for Annie, Missy, Burrito, Foxie, Jody, Jamie and Negra, we’re also thrilled to be moving ahead with plans to grow our sanctuary family so we can provide other chimps with the hope, love, home and sanctuary they also deserve.

Ron, thank you so much for sponsoring this New Years Day of sanctuary! We’re thrilled that in learning of JB’s work and the chimpanzees you shared that passion and were immediately inspired to make a difference in the chimps’ lives and we really appreciate you starting their year off with such a compassionate gesture. 2015 has been an incredible year and we are so excited as we look ahead to 2016! Happy New Year!

The Queen of the sanctuary, Negra:

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Thanks to David and to Elizabeth!

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In case you missed this morning’s blog post, we are incredibly grateful to have THREE people sponsoring today for the chimpanzees, our first of whom is Tracy Headley.

Our second sponsor of the day is David Visneau! David, thank you so  much for your generosity, we truly appreciate you thinking of the chimpanzees and making a difference in their lives!

And our third sponsor for today is Elizabeth Steele, in honor of Lars and Becca Jorgensen! Elizabeth shared this message about today:

“This donation is in honor of Becca and Lars Jorgensen and their love and devotion to the Cle Elum Seven.”

Lars and Becca are dedicated chimp house volunteers who drive all the way from Seattle as often as possible to help care for the chimps. They go above and beyond in countless ways, from Becca picking up our generous produce donations from Darwin’s Natural Pet Foods multiple times a month to bring with her, to being Boss Jamie’s right-hand woman when it comes to walking around the perimeter of Young’s Hill multiple times a day! We are so fortunate to have Lars and Becca as part of our chimp family and are happy to see them honored today.

Elizabeth, thank you for honoring Lars and Becca and for sharing in the love they have for the chimpanzees and the dedication to making their lives better.

Boss Jamie:

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Becca, Jamie and Missy patrolling the territory:

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Jamie luxuriating in her nest while wearing the gift of a new pair of boots from her friend, Becca:

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Happy Birthday, Tracy!

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Today, incredibly, we have three supporters sponsoring this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! We begin the day with a sponsorship by Tracy Headley, a dear friend (to chimps and humans alike) and member of our sanctuary family. Tracy probably wouldn’t tell you this, but she lives her life every day bringing light, support, comfort and love to so many beings – both human and non. She is celebrating her birthday today and shared this touching message:

“Again this year I celebrate my friends at CSNW on my birthday. Every day of the year they are a gift in my life.”

Happy Birthday, Tracy! Thank you so much for all that you do for the chimpanzees. You hold them in your heart and make a difference in their lives at every opportunity. We are thrilled to celebrate your special day with you and can’t say how happy we are that you are part of our chimpanzee family. You are a special soul and you make the world a better place by being here. We hope you have a fabulous day full of all good things! With lots of hooting!

Here are your pals to help start your celebration off right:

Ms. Foxie:

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Burrito:

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Jody:

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