WAYS YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Gaye Thomasson, at volunteers@thegabrielfoundation.org or (303)629-5900 ext. 235. Gaye is volunteering her time and there may be a delay in responding. If you need immediate assistance, call Charise Mixa at (303)629-5900 ext. 213. Click here to read Volunteer Tasks for the Week of Aug 8. Click here to open the Waiver and Release Form.   We welcome the interested public, rescue, sanctuary, welfare organizations, veterinarians and members to participate in hands-on care of the aviary and the birds. TGF willingly provides its materials to interested volunteers to distribute appropriately in their local area. The Foundation developed a volunteer training manual for training, teaching, educational and safety purposes. The aviary hosts family fun, on-site volunteer work weekends and picnic lunches at the aviary quarterly throughout the year. Volunteer Application Print out our Volunteer Flyer and hang it in your home or office to encourage others to volunteer at TGF! PLEASE CHECK OUR EVENTS CALENDAR FOR INFORMATION ON ALL UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. Our next Volunteer Work Day is August 22nd! A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has generously given their time at the recent events. You are all appreciated - TGF is fortunate to have you on our team!   A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO TIKI AND BRIAN BARBER WHO, ONCE AGAIN, HAVE SHOWN INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY - SENDING US TONS OF WOOD SCRAPS AND OTHER TOY MAKING MATERIALS! OUR FAITHFUL VOLUNTEERS HAVE PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER TO MAKE COUNTLESS TOYS FOR SOME VERY GRATEFUL BIRDS!

MEET OUR VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH! Bob Rowland is our Volunteer of the Month for August! Bob began volunteering at the Aviary in Elizabeth six months ago after completing Volunteer Orientation and Training. His primary goal was to learn more about birds as his family contemplated adopting a parrot sometime in the future. What Bob didn’t anticipate was quickly finding a new passion - as well as two new birdie buddies at the Aviary! Bob has a full time job and is a full time dad, so volunteering for him usually occurs on Saturday mornings. He has taken on the valuable task of picking up and sorting the food donated by the Safeway store in Elizabeth, CO. During Volunteer Work Days, you can find Bob standing at the drill press and chop saw, endlessly cranking out wood pieces for bird toys. He has engaged his family in helping to replenish the pvc/wood toys for the big birds. Bob has also participated in the two Co-Parroting groups held over the past few months, learning about parrot body language and toweling techniques.  Two birds at the Aviary have captured Bob’s heart: Igby, a seven year old Dusky pionus, who has been at the Aviary for four years, and Mojo, a wild caught Blue and Gold macaw - one of the first birds rescued by The Gabriel Foundation, almost 15 years ago!  Bob visits with both birds every time he comes to the Aviary - and it is incredible to watch him gently talking to them, strengthening their bond and trust in humans. Bob calls hanging out with Igby and Mojo and the rest of the TGF flock his "stress reliever." Based on their behaviors when he is around, Bob is making a similar difference in the lives of these two parrots!  Bob has been so affected by these birds that he is now taking Beyond the Bird Basics and is in the process of adopting Igby!   Perhaps a Blue and Gold macaw is also in his future! The Gabriel Foundation is grateful to Bob Rowland for being a dedicated TGF volunteer and for caring so passionately about the welfare of all of the birds. Congratulations, Bob, for all that you do!               ^BACK TO TOP