August 17, 2011
I was first told about Save the Chimps from a friend of mine who lives in Colorado. I discovered that the sanctuary was only 30 minutes from my home town in Florida. I couldn't wait to see if they would accept volunteers. That was over a year ago and I've been helping out at Save the Chimps ever since. I'll never forget the first day I was taken to see some of the residents. Looking into the eyes of Ron, a chimp who shares the same name as my dad - well, he had a thoughtful look that was irresistible to me. And Ron had been subject to terrible treatment in his past. Never would have known it from looking at him in his peaceful Florida home. Here's to Save the Chimps! Can't wait to get back and help make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again soon!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the chimps they have rescued from horrific research labratories - roaming free on their islands - grouped in families and living in a caring, open environment. This is not a zoo and not a breeding facility. These chimps, some of them quite elderly now, have a place to live that may "undo" some of the psychological and physical damage that humans forced on them in research labs, etc.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try and get them as much money as possible so they could help stop the pet trade and entertainment trade in chimpanzees as well. It's still a big problem - along with using them in research.
MY ROLE:
Volunteer & I have done a few different things for STC - from office work to helping make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the chimps - and packing up bags of chimp chow for dinner! Each bag has to have the same number of nuggets in them - they can tell if som.
