Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

Happy Birthday, Jayne!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Jayne Roepke! Jayne is such a good friend to the chimpanzees and is always looking for opportunities to make their lives better (as well as the lives of the humans who care for them!). Today also happens to be Jayne’s birthday and we are touched and honored to share such a special day with her.

Jayne shared this beautiful message for today:

“April 17th is my birthday and I’d like to sponsor that day in honor of other supporters (like me) who simply marvel at the endearing chimpanzee beings who are fortunate to call CSNW their home (as well as others who may follow.) I greatly appreciate your willingness to allow ‘regular folks’ to actively participate in the lives of these precious souls. I get so much joy watching their lives unfold before our eyes. They have taught me so much about the power of forgiveness and perseverance.”

Jayne, we hope you have the happiest of birthdays! Thank you so much for celebrating your life by honoring not only the chimpanzees, but all the amazing supporters who grace their lives. What a lovely thing to do! We are privileged to be surrounded by so many compassionate individuals who all make the chimpanzees’ lives here in sanctuary possible.

Beautiful Jody:

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Happy Birthday, Denice!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was also sponsored by Denice Mikkelson! Denice is one of our beloved volunteer caregivers and shares her heart with all of the primates here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in countless ways. She does so much to make the chimpanzees’  lives better and is also the driving force behind their garden. Today is Denice’s birthday and in true “Denice fashion” she chose to celebrate by making a difference for the chimpanzees. Denice shared this special message:

“It’s my 60th birthday. The Cle Elum 7 and all the other primates associated with the Sanctuary are so near and dear to me. There is not a day that I don’t think of the “7”, of what they have been through, how their lives have changed and what the future holds for them. They have made huge changes in the way I view the world. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this organization.”

Denice, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in your life, always. We hope your day is filled with all the things you most love and may all the good you share with others return to you tenfold. We think that should include lots of treats with Queen Negra-style food (or cake) squeaking and clapping at your husband, Ken, when you need more! Happy Birthday!!

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In memory of Don Pfeiffer

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Karen and Don Young, in memory of Karen’s brother, Don Pfeiffer. Don’s birthday is today and Karen shared this message about him: “Today is in memory of my beloved brother who was an animal activist, a meso-American archeologist, a construction contractor much like JB (could build anything and was very creative because he had to take native materials while in the jungle and construct houses for everyone on the digs), devoted uncle and brother-in-law and a Patriot who lost his life serving his country.”

Karen and Don, thank you so much for sponsoring this day for the chimpanzees in memory of Don. He sounds like a special person and we are touched you would choose to honor him by making a difference for the chimpanzees. We hope this day is filled with love and good memories as you celebrate his life.

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The chimpanzees, surrounded by so much love, had someone else special sponsor this day for them as well, which we will be sharing shortly.

For Lisa Stuverud

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Today’s day of sanctuary is for Lisa Stuverud from her wonderful husband Richard, who shared this message:

I’d like to sponsor a day in the name of my wife, Lisa Stuverud. April 4th is her birthday and I know how much she loves the chimps and everyone at CSNW. Coincidentally, Lisa and her sister-in-law Linda Vizzare share the same birthday and Lisa had chosen yesterday as a sponsored day in Linda’s name. (Linda recently passed away and was a big Burrito fan especially loving his Happy Dance) I am choosing April 5th, the next best day, to support and share my wife’s love of the chimps and although in the beginning is was Jamie and her Cowboy Boots that that drew her in, it would now be difficult for her to ever pick a favorite if she was asked…I know she loves them all and has sincere admiration for all you do as “their humans”.

Jamie hugging boot 4

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Thank you both for all of your support for the Seven and us humans, Rich and Lisa! Happy Easter and Happy Birthday!

 

Today in Memory of Linda Vizzare

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Lisa Stuverud has sponsored this day of sanctuary in memory of Linda Vizzare. This is the touching message that Lisa shared:

Linda is my sister-in-law and my “birthday buddy” for the last 37 years. She passed away November 20th, so April 4th is going to be my first birthday without her to celebrate with. I know she knows I miss her very much and one of the things I miss the most is how much she loved Burrito especially when he did his “happy dance” :-). During her illness we often talked about the chimpanzees, the caregivers and the blog, but mostly we drew strength from all that they have overcome to then be able to do a “happy dance”…I know she was strong and didn’t stop fighting until the very end so I hope she is now doing her own “happy dance.”

The best example of Burrito’s “dance” where he stands bipedally, clutching his thighs with his hands and moving from foot to foot is in the Emmy award winning video put together by KOMO 4 of the chimpanzees’ first moments on Young’s Hill. You can see the video here – Burrito’s dance is at 3:30.

And here are a few photos of Mr. B.

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Thank you, Lisa, for being such a good friend to the chimpanzees, for sharing this day with them, and for sharing your touching memories of your time with Linda during her illness.

Today is for mom Amy Simpson!

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Today is Julia Simpson’s birthday, and she chose to sponsor a day of sanctuary in honor of her mother because Julia is grateful to have Amy for a mom. How incredibly sweet is that?

Maybe this sweet?

Negra kissing Jamie’s brow

Negra kiss Jamie

 

Foxie kissing a troll doll

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Happy birthday, Julia! Thanks for all you do for the chimpanzees, and thanks to Amy for being such a great mom!

In memory of Joseph and Carlene’s anniversary

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Joseph Garza, in memory of his late wife, Carlene, and this day, which would have been their 15th wedding anniversary. Joseph and Carlene have done so much for the chimpanzees and even though Carlene is no longer with us physically, both she and Joseph continue to make an immense difference in the chimps’ lives. Joseph shared this beautifully heartfelt message about today:

“On this date fifteen years ago, Carlene K. Olsen-Paul and I exchanged vows to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. Little did we know that the latter would come much too soon.

She captured my heart with the first look into her eyes and at that moment I knew that I was looking into the soul of the love of my life. The Lord gave us almost 20 years together, 14 and one-half of those as husband and wife. They weren’t all easy, but I would give anything to have even the worst day back again just to hold her in my arms again.

Carlene K. Olsen-Garza, you are my soul mate and I know when my time comes you will be waiting for me and we will once again be reunited, but this time for eternity. Til then, I love you my angel.”

Joseph, thank you so much for sharing such a special day with not only the chimpanzees, but all of us. We are immensely moved that you not only continue to carry Carlene’s passion for the chimpanzees in your heart, but have made it your own as well. Our thoughts are with you today as you remember your dear wife and the beautiful life you shared.

Annie groom Missy in greenhouse