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Volunteers: Big help behind the scenes
Posted on 3/23/2009 |
Volunteers: Big help behind the scenes
ONLINE CHATTER
Thursday, March 19, 2009
KACEY SEMLER/I'M ALL EYES
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Volunteers are often overlooked. They work quietly and behind-the-scenes to make our lives just a little bit better. Their impacts -- great or small -- should never be forgotten.
On Monday, I watched eight volunteers do something so simple, yet so important, at the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton on the North Shore. The setting was the Zoo's education center, where cardboard boxes and storage bins were scattered throughout. Very reserved, the group sat at a table focused on tackling the task at hand: Stuffing several thousand plastic Easter eggs with candy.
While they weren't able to fill each-and-every egg with treats, like pastel Life Savers, I watched as they made a dent. And I know, that each hot pink and bright yellow egg they stuff will make this year's Eggstravaganza a hit in the eyes of children who attend. (Parents: The festivities take place on Apr. 4 from noon to 3 p.m.)
The event -- like many others hosted by the Zoo, including "Spooktacular" and "A Dickens of a Christmas" -- is always a seasonal success, but it's the behind-the-scenes volunteers who make it so special.
"I like to come in for any of the events," said Ron Ferallo, an East Shore resident from Ocean Breeze, and a Zoo docent. "I help set up (beforehand) and then help out that day."
Ferallo explained that as a docent, he serves as a guide for Zoo patrons, answering questions and providing information on the animals.
"I help with the outside exhibits. I love my exhibits and (of course) I love the animals," he said, working on his pile of Easter eggs alongside Andrea Lafata, a volunteer from Westerleigh.
Also pitching in Monday was a group from Cerebral Palsy of New York State (CPNYS) based in Mariners Harbor. It was the second time the organization reached out to the Zoo; another group helped with last month's Groundhog Day festivities.
"We've been looking to do more in the community," said Rashida Reid, a CPNYS habilitation aide. With Ms. Reid was another aide, Natara Moore, and CPNYS clients George, Larry, Jacob and Marina.
Whether Staten Islanders are filling plastic eggs with candy, cleaning up litter and debris from our beaches, or visiting patients in our hospitals, I salute them all. Anyone who volunteers their time to make this borough -- and the world -- a better place, deserves a great, big "thank you" and pat on the back.
TAG: To respond to this post, go to silive.com/northshore
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Zoo helpers fill void in seasonal symbols
Posted on 3/13/2009 |
Zoo helpers fill void in seasonal symbols
Volunteers are busy stuffing candy into thousands of eggs for kids to track down during the always popular Eggstravaganza event
Thursday, March 12, 2009
By KACEY SEMLER
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, NY -- WEST BRIGHTON -- Cardboard boxes and storage bins were scattered throughout the education center at the Staten Island Zoo on Monday, as eight volunteers tackle the task at hand: Stuffing several thousand plastic Easter eggs with candy.
They weren't able to fill each-and-every egg with treats, like pastel Life Savers, but they did make a dent.
Each hot pink and bright yellow egg will make this year's Eggstravaganza a hit in the eyes of children who attend.
(Parents: The festivities take place on Apr. 4 from noon to 3 p.m.)
And while the event -- like many others hosted by the Zoo, including "Spooktacular" and "A Dickens of a Christmas" -- is always a seasonal success, it's the behind-the-scenes volunteers who make it so special.
"I like to come in for any of the events," said Ron Ferallo, an East Shore resident from Ocean Breeze, a Zoo docent. "I help set up (beforehand) and then help out that day."
Ferallo serves as a guide for Zoo patrons, answering questions and providing information on the animals.
"I help with the outside exhibits. I love my exhibits and (of course) I love the animals," he said, working on his pile of Easter eggs alongside Andrea Lafata, a Zoo volunteer from Westerleigh.
Also pitching in Monday was a group from United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) based in Mariners Harbor. It was the second time the organization reached out to the Zoo; another group helped with last month's Groundhog Day festivities.
"We've been looking to do more in the community," said Rashida Reid, a UCP habilitation aide. (With Ms. Reid was another aide, Natara Moore, and UCP clients George, Larry, Jacob and Marina.)
For information on Eggstravaganza, visit the Zoo's Web site, www.statenislandzoo.org.
Kacey Semler is the Assistant Editor of the Shores. She may be reached at semler@siadvance.com.
Help the Zoo
The Staten Island Zoo welcomes anyone interested in volunteering. However, these are long-term commitments -- not community service projects. Volunteers must be properly trained, as some may work with the animals, and they must be at least 14 years old.
Students looking for service hours may assist at the Zoo's annual beach cleanup, or at its Adopt-a-Soldier Day.
For more information, call Erin Rackovan, special events and volunteer coordinator, at 718-442-3174, extension, 37, or e-mail her at sivolunteer@aol.com.
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Alpaca Kissing Contest
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.
The Staten Island Zoo has announced its first-ever "Alpaca Kissing Contest BBQ" July 11, 1 to 4 p.m. at the zoo in West Brighton. The cost to attend the barbecue is $10 for adults and $7 for children 10 years and under. No reservations are necessary. For further information, contact the Zoo at 718-442-3174, ext. 37.
Voting is taking place now to determine who is the lucky one to pucker up with, what else, a cute and cuddly alpaca. The results will be revealed at the barbecue. Christine Quinn, speaker of the City Council; Assemblymen Lou Tobacco and Matthew Titone, State Sen. Diane Savino, Greg T from Z100, and John Caltabiano, executive director of the Staten Island Zoo, have all entered the Alpaca Kissing contest and are urging all their supporters to vote for them.
Posted on 7/3/2009 |
Click for Advance story
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Zoo transformed into an Italian piazza
Posted on 7/3/2009
Sunday, June 07, 2009
By MARGARET DeJESUS
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The enticing aroma of Italian sausage, peppers and pizza permeated the grounds of the Staten Island Zoo yesterday as the fourth annual Festa Italiana kicked off.
"On a day like today, everyone is Italian," said John Caltabiano, executive director of the West Brighton zoo.
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Click for Advance story
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