Injured, sick and orphaned birds will have a second chance at life thanks to a charity golf tournament benefiting the Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre.
The fourth annual event raised $7,475 to build an aviary for the animal protection organization. Since 2014, the tournament has generated $26,400 to fund specialized equipment and shelters, veterinary care and more.
“The main event at our tournament is when the golfers get to listen to Sue Meech (director of the wildlife centre),” said Rhonda Grant of Your Grant Team. “She presents a slideshow of animals being rescued, rehabilitated and released. Sue lets the golfers know how the funds from the golf tournaments will be used to help.”
In fact, it was Meech’s passion for rescuing animals and protecting fragile ecosystems that inspired Rhonda and her family to organize the tournament.
“When Sue worked in her living room on a cold winter’s night saving some wild critters, she knew she would spend her life helping them. Being a nurse, she had a natural ability to save them. She ended up saving so many that she had to keep them in a shed. Then the shed had to have heat and running water. An operating area was a countertop and local veterinarians would volunteer their time to save animals,” Rhonda said.
“Four decades later, Sue runs a facility with staff that saves hundreds of wild animals each year. From mammals to birds of prey, Sue has seen it all and would help them all if she could… What I learned along with the participants is that if we lose one species of wildlife, it will upset and change the whole ecosystem. SPWC is vital to us all.”
Rhonda and Brandon Grant said next year’s golf tournament will be on June 22.
This story was adapted – with permission – from one originally featured on the Sutton Spirit website. The Sutton Spirit program recognizes Sutton associates across Canada that improve and enhance the lives of the people around them.
