Clint and Irene Davey are getting excited about the possibility of having their house back to themselves for the first time in 29 years.
The Daveys run the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (GWRC) out of their home in Gibsons and they’ve been fundraising to place a new building on their lot for volunteers and animals, in an effort to separate their home from the centre, if only by a few feet.
The Daveys needed about $25,000 for the building they were eyeing, which included a bathroom and kitchen area, and through a three-month-long fundraiser spearheaded by volunteer Jane Orrom, they were able to raise nearly $34,500.
“It’s just great. It’s wonderful,” said Clint, noting the first part of the puzzle is now in place, but there are a few more pieces to line up. The building will have to be moved to the GWRC and properly set up on a levelled area, then hooked up to water, power and sewer.
Once that’s complete, the building will have to be equipped with customized cages for birds needing care (cages must have a small opening on the bottom so food and water can be changed without birds flying out), a washing machine and dryer and a microwave for heating up baby bird formula.
Currently volunteers use the washer and dryer and microwave in the Daveys’ home throughout the day.
“It’s amazing when you really start to think about it how many of our personal things are used every day,” Irene said.
She is dreaming about the day she can have a relaxing morning in her kitchen, without volunteers bustling about.
“We haven’t had that since we moved here in 1988,” Irene said.
The Daveys want to have the new building set up and ready by baby bird season this May, but in order for that to happen they will need volunteers with expertise in building, plumbing, electrical and more. They’re also continuing to fundraise for costs associated with placing the building on site.
To find out more or to offer assistance, contact the GWRC’s volunteer construction coordinator, Don Kernan, at 604-885-5372.
Donations to the building fund can be sent to the GWRC at 1211 Carmen Road, Gibsons, BC, Canada, VON 1V4. Cheques should note the donation is for the building fund specifically, as the Daveys also fundraise for operating costs throughout the year.
The couple thank everyone who donated to their cause so far, with Irene noting “it enables us to continue helping wildlife on the Sunshine Coast.”
Last year the centre cared for 324 wild animals needing rescue or rehabilitation.
Learn more about the GWRC at www.gibsonswildliferehabcentre.org
