Volunteer Stories
We try to keep in touch with our volunteers, friends, and supporters throughout the year and are delighted when we receive letters from some of you in return. We'd like to include some of these letters here on our website to share with everyone. They help us see just what kind of people we have standing behind our operation, helping us to help these glorious creatures. We are all so thankful for each and every one of you! We'll be happy to publish your letters when you write.
Fall/Winter 2009/2010 is my second season here at the Oasis and it is only getting better. Since extreme heat has been my enemy since early childhood, I am only here for half of the year from October thru March. Last year I knew I would be fairly heartbroken when it was time to leave the heat behind, knowing it was impossible to explain to the animals where I had gone. The thing that really surprised me was the loss I experienced missing all my co-workers. The staff here really is an amazing group of hard working, dedicated, generous and animal loving people. They have made my experiences here the most satisfying and enjoyable of any place I have ever worked. Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have visited the Oasis understands the level of commitment needed to keep all these critters happy, healthy and safe
The trip I most enjoy looking back on last year was the closest to home and the cheapest. Pooh and I did an all night drive to reach the Oasis Sanctuary before the sun got too hot. The Oasis is out in the high desert on a little dirt road and I had been there a few times to visit during the day, which is good, but nothing like being a volunteer.
We humans have a penchant for collecting beautiful things. We see it, we like it, and no matter the consequence, own it. Despite all the negatives, we acquire that beautiful object. At first, we can’t get enough of it. We take it out and look at it every day. We show our friends. We give it a place of honor. We tell everyone, and we can’t wait to show off our latest acquisition.
I sometimes tell people my interest in birds began with rock climbing. Unlikely as that may sound, here is how the story goes.
I came to Tucson to study geology, and along with studying rocks, found interest in climbing them as well. This led to opportunities to often see large and majestic birds and at some point I decided to get a field guide to birds and try to figure out how to tell a Red Tailed Hawk from a Turkey Vulture. Within a month I was sporting a pair of binoculars and visiting all the Arizona birding hot spots. My interest had gone well beyond just the raptors. My birthday rolled around, and my wife Ingrid took me out to eat and gave me a card saying that after the meal I was entitled to visit the mall petstore and select a parakeet for a pet. I was quite skeptical and somewhat ill at ease about having a bird confined to a cage, but I had also learned that my wife often has good ideas. She probably rues the day she started me down this road!
My husband found The Oasis online and we’ve been donating what we could for a couple of years, but always wished we could actually go there. This May, for “Discover The Oasis,” we were finally able to make it happen.
Volunteer at The Oasis
We always can use extra hands. Come out and volunteer for an amazing experience!
