Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

Thank you, Tracy!

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Today’s very special day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tracy Dunham! Tracy shared the following  message:

“On this special anniversary I would like to sponsor the day in honor of Jane Goodall. She has long been an inspiration to me and I am sure of many others. I admire her tireless advocacy on behalf of not just chimps. Her eloquent letter to Vancouver Aquarium on behalf of belugas and dolphins has no doubt made an impact. She is a visionary, a teacher, an environmentalist and I am sure no one would be happier to celebrate the new life that the chimps have made for themselves.”

As you may be aware, today is not only Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’s sixth anniversary, but it is also the honorary 41st birthday of beloved Queen Negra! Negra was captured from the wild, presumably in 1973, although she could be even older. While we do not know the exact date of Negra’s birth we felt what better day to celebrate her and the birth of a new life than June 13th, the day the chimpanzees arrived at their sanctuary home after decades in biomedical research. A new life filled with choices, comfort, dignity and love.

Tracy, thank you so much for all you do for the chimpanzees and for contributing to their (and our!) day of celebration!

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And thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to all of our supporters who have made the last six years of hope, love, home and sanctuary possible for Negra and her chimpanzee family. We could not do it without you.

Be sure to check back later today for the chimpanzees’ festivities! And it’s not too late to contribute to our day of celebration! Learn more about our future plans and please consider a donation supporting the next six years and beyond, making this the Luckiest Friday the 13th ever!

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Donna Dinsmore! Today also happens to be Donna’s birthday and she wanted the chimpanzees to have a special day and be able to celebrate with her.

Donna, thank you so much for choosing to spend your special day in such a kind and generous way! We truly appreciate you including the chimpanzees in your celebration of life. From all of the primates here at CSNW, we hope you have a wonderful day and that all the good you share with others returns to you tenfold! Happy Birthday!!

Jody always knows how to celebrate each day with joy:

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Happy Birthday, Alisa!

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Today was sponsored by Ed for Alisa Brooks, and it’s her 50th birthday! Ed shared this wonderful message with us:

Alisa is turning 50 today and she would rather help the chimps get some yummy food than get a present herself. Alisa has a depth of love for animals that is always guiding her. I can see the warmth of her heart, as she watches the chimps in their many adventures at the sanctuary. Whether she is tracking the travels of whales, helping a lost pet reunite with its human, or watching the chimps play, she is doing what she loves.

Thank you Alisa for caring so much about the Cle Elum Seven, and thank you to Ed for generously sponsoring the day for her! Here’s a photo of Annie and Missy playing:

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Happy Birthday, Jessie!

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Today is Jessie Cosier’s birthday and she chose to celebrate by sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! Jessie, what a kind and generous way to celebrate your life. Thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in your special day!

From all of us here at CSNW, we hope you have a wonderful birthday! And on behalf of the chimpanzees, we send you lots of pant hoots and food squeaks!

Negra and Jody:

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Today is in memory of Norman A. Johnson

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Paula Nelson in memory of her father, Norman A. Johnson. Paula shared this lovely message about her father:

“My father passed away a year ago on May 9th. I wanted to honor his memory. He so enjoyed watching the videos and pictures of all the chimps. We had family in Cle Elum so that made it special for our family. I know he is smiling down still enjoying them. Love you Daddy.”

Paula, we are so touched that you thought of the chimpanzees when honoring the memory of your father. It makes us happy to know that they brought such joy to his life. Thank you so much for giving them a special day and our thoughts are with you and your family.

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Congratulations, Keri and Bob!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Diana Goodrich, Patti Sims, Lynn Williamson, and Connie Lamm in honor of the wedding of our dear friends, Keri Heniff and Bob Mark!

Diana, Patti, Lynn and Connie shared the following message for Keri and Bob:

“Congratulations on your wedding! May this be the start of a new chapter in a long and happy life together. Thanks for all you do for friends of all species!”

Keri is a volunteer caregiver here at CSNW and she and Bob are two of the kindest, most compassionate people we know. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have them as part of the CSNW family and we are so happy for them!

Keri and Bob, if you two love each other half as much as our guy, Burrito, loves his food you are going to have a great life together! Congratulations!!

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Happy Birthday, Jody Chimpanzee!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tracy Headley in honor of her beautiful Pal, Jody’s, honorary 39th birthday! We don’t know Jody’s actual date of birth so we chose Mother’s Day to celebrate her life, in honor of the 9 children she gave birth to, but was not allowed to raise. As heartbreaking as Jody’s history is, thanks to our amazing supporters, she seems to have fully embraced her life in sanctuary. She spends her days lounging in peace and comfort in the most amazingly cozy nests, foraging on Young’s Hill for as much as she can possibly carry, and increasingly so, playing and laughing with her chimpanzee family. Of Jody’s countless endearing qualities, a favorite that comes to mind today is how she always helps round everyone up at mealtime and makes sure they get through the door before we close it, seemingly making sure no one gets “left behind.”

While nothing could make up for the loss that Jody and all chimpanzee mommas and their children have endured, we honor and celebrate their lives today. We all give life in our own way and can mother at heart. Whether it’s to ourselves, our friends, our family, or the earth, regardless of species. As said by Anais Nin, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

Tracy, you are an extraordinary friend to the chimpanzees and we are so grateful for all you do for them. Thank you so much for making Jody’s day of celebration even more special! Happy Birthday/Mother’s Day, Jody, we love you!!

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All of us at CSNW wish you all a day of love, comfort, and nurturing. Be sure to check back later today for the birthday/Mother’s Day celebration!