Just in time for Valentine’s Day
we’re holding a fund-raising raffle with an emphasis on
Romance!
First Prize
A faboulous weekend at the Black Rock beach-house near Ucluelet, Vancouver Island.
Second Prize
A 3 liter, limited edition Merlot from Tincreek Wineries, in the Okanagan Valley.
Third Prize
Dinner for 4 at one of Nanaimo’s favourite restaurants, Alexandra’s Bistro.
Last month Wendy led a delegation of WPR supporters and parrots to the steps of the legislature in Victoria, BC, in an attempt to remind our political leaders that the money taken from lotteries and gambling in this province has been justified in the past because it was used to “help charities” and other worthwhile non-profit groups. Lately this funding has been drastically cut.
Wendy wanted to remind the minister that the birds are alive and have real needs, and are not just objects that can be forgotten. The message Wendy wanted to get across was, “Please don’t forget us – we still need help.” So far there’s been no response other than silence. I guess the minister didn’t hear us.
Deddeda is an amazing photojournalist who has kindly shared her work at the legislature with us. Her website can be found at http://www.deddeda.com. Thank you, Deddeda!
The construction equipment moved in yesterday morning to begin the new addition. Thanks to some very generous donors we will soon have a real laundry room, a walk-in refrigerator and a food preparation/kitchen area. This is fantastic. It will help our work tremendously. Stay tuned for more photos as the project continues.
Click here to read the whole story behind this photo.
Thanks to the combined efforts of many volunteers the small birds now have outdoor flight cages!
Stephanie Burleigh sent this note and some photos from June’s yard sale, which was another great success thanks to the efforts of many staff and volunteer members:
I just wanted to let you know that we raised $1,071.00 at the garage sale. Thank you for everything, Stephanie.
Watch for our next event in the later part of July! Until then, enjoy the summer!
Larry Neil worked all last week repairing the broken outside cockatoo flight. Bill Martin, Stephanie’s husband, helped too. Last weekend, Doug Jones joined them and they all worked together in the incredible heat to finish it for the birds.
These wonderful volunteers did a tremendous job, and the birds are so grateful. They are having a blast outside in the sunshine. A huge thank you to these incredible people for the precious gift of their time.
From Wendy: Our incredible group of volunteers raised $1470 at our first “on site” yard sale. The people who came out to support us were very generous when they learnt that the proceeds were for the materials to build an outside flight for the small parrots. I shall purchase the materials this week when I am on the mainland, and then we can rally our new group of volunteers who want to do construction. One young man who came to the yard sale on Saturday is very excited about helping with this project, and he has experience with chain link fencing: a real bonus for the birds!
We have already received some great items for the next yard sale and promises of more to come! We are planning for Saturday, June 20, for the next yard sale. We need to raise enough funds for the second cockatoo flight. We have received nearly enough donations for the materials for the first macaw outside flight. Many generous people have donated on the website to the “Give Them Wings and Outside Flights” fund.
With all the love that is pouring in for these birds, we will soon be able to make their dreams come true.
Love from Wendy.
Wendy received some very touching news this week that she would like to share and express our condolences to the family and friends of Jody Joval:
Here is the body of the letter:
From: The Victoria Heart Institute Foundation
To: The World Parrot Refuge
Re: Donations in Memory of Jody Joval
Please find enclosed a cheque in memory of a co-worker and more importantly a very good friend.
Jody had a lot of interests and adventures and shared with us her time with you in Coombs. Jody and her fiancé Todd went on a holiday up Island during Jody’s illness and just happened to stop into your refuge when driving by. They were so inspired by the kindness that was displayed to the birds and loved hanging out with the parrots.
They ended up going back and visiting your refuge for a second time. Jody was a great storyteller and she told all that would listen about your organization.
We hope this money can help out a little.
The letter is signed by two of Jody’s colleagues at the VHI. Jody’s obituary is online so I’ve taken the liberty of pasting it here:
JOVAL, Jody August 29, 1968 – March 17, 2009 Taken away from us much too early. A daughter, sister, aunt, soul mate and great friend.
Jody battled cancer with ‘the eye of the tiger’ attitude. She was a great person who put others needs in front of her own. Jody was a nurse at RJH and her passion was quite evident in her daily work. Jody enjoyed fast pitch at Heywood Park where she played with the Victoria Athletics. Besides her dedication to the medical field and her love of sports, Jody was an adventurer. Jody excelled with event organization, putting together game plans, and following through on projects to ensure the happiness of others. While the great staff and volunteers of Hospice were taking care of Jody, she was still organizing another ‘event’. We believe she is organizing as we speak.
While we mourn the loss of Jody, we also appreciate that she was able to enjoy a special ceremony with her soulmate Todd. It was a celebration with many special ‘toasts’, the way Jody would have wanted it. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at the Arbor Reception Centre of Sands Funeral Chapel at 1803 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC, on Friday March 20, 2009 at 1:00 pm. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in Jody’s memory may be made to The World Parrot Refuge: PO Box 645, Coombs, BC VOR 1MO 5 3 1 8 4 2
The family also has an online guestbook at this link:
On behalf of the World Parrot Refuge, thank you, Jody. We are touched by your thoughtfulness and support, and our hearts grieve.
2009 continues to present challenges. As well as ongoing funding issues, new parrots come in daily it seems. Most arrive with no commitment to their financial needs and some have health issues.
Reuben Macaw is in poor condition. His feathers are picked almost bare in many places. His beak shows chalky areas and generally he seems to have experienced poor nutritional and environmental conditions. Wendy told me his estimated age – about ten I as I recall.
Kolbe is a two-year-old African Grey. His feathers are over-groomed to nothing, and he is extremely nervous around people. When he first arrived he cowered high in a corner of his cage. But, within just a few days he is gaining confidence. Wendy reports that he is switching to the new food very quickly, and has been playing in his cage and even hanging upside down. That’s a great sign!
Remember you can contribute to the Virtual Adoption of any of our birds through the donations page. The average cost per bird is $500/year, but any donation helps immensely. Thanks again for checking in on us!
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