The INDEPENDENT, April 6, 2006
Page 13
Oregon Zoo has opportunities for adult and youth volunteers
Do you enjoy interacting with
people and animals? The Ore-
gon Zoo has opportunities for
youth and adult volunteers to
work at least one three-and-a-
half-hour shift per week from
mid-May through Labor Day in
the Winged Wonders butterfly
exhibit as ZooAmbassadors.
Orientations are scheduled on
April 12, 19 and 22.
ZooAmbassadors provide
general animal and exhibit in-
formation to visitors, while
spending time with colorful but-
terflies in the butterfly garden.
April is also Grange Month, April
17 is the date to find out more
All those interested in learn-
ing more about the Community
Grange are invited to a meeting
on April 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the
community Grange Hall on
North St. in Vernonia.
“The Vision for the Grange”
is that the Grange in the 21st
century will be a pre-eminent
organization.
It will commit to the develop-
ment of the potential in fami-
lies, youth and adults of all
ages through dynamic pro-
grams and experiences that
educate, engage and enrich
lives.
The Grange will be noted for
its commitment to the member-
ship through its enabled lead-
ership, its financial and organi-
zational strength, and its ability
to make differences in the lives
of children, youth, families and
individuals.
The Grange will be a rele-
vant, caring and involved part
of the community in which its
members are located. It will be
well known and understood
and considered a viable, in-
volved and distinctive organi-
zation. Members can expect in
the organization a clear and im-
pressive pathway to fellowship
with leaders and citizens of the
community. Meet and make
new friends and have the op-
portunity to lead and be led
while serving the community.
The Grange has been an ac-
tive organization in Vernonia
since 1902 and meets in a
building that was constructed in
1907. If this interests you or
you want to learn more, we
hope to see you on April 17.
mEGGa Easter Egg Hunt
The mEGGa Easter Egg
Hunt will be held April 15 at the
Columbia County Fairgrounds
from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In
the spirit of community, local
organizations, businesses and
public officials come together to
create the day of fun for the
kids of Columbia County.
“This is the sixth year of the
mEGGa Easter Egg Hunt and
we continue to grow a little
each year,” said Committee
Chair Evelyn Hudson. “The
process of cleaning, stuffing
and organizing a hunt of
20,000 eggs is a year-round
project. This has always been
one of my favorite events be-
cause, with the help of volun-
teers and community dona-
tions, the event is free to the
public, there are not a lot of
those left,” said Hudson.
The siren from a Columbia
River Fire & Rescue fire engine
will blow promptly at 11:00 a.m.
to officially start this year’s
hunt. The ground is divided up
by age groups and volunteers
spend the morning spreading
out the eggs in each area. Over
150 eggs are filled with golden
egg tickets that kids bring in-
side the pavilion to a designat-
ed station and exchange for a
special prize.
In addition to the actual
hunt, kids can enjoy the 4-H
Petting Zoo that’s full of bun-
nies, piglets, birds, chickens,
calves, goats and more.
Throughout the school sys-
tem coloring contest sheets
with detailed information on the
mEGGa Easter Egg Hunt will
be distributed. Kids can do the
coloring contest at home and
bring it to the fairgrounds on
the 15th, or they can sit down
in the pavilion and color on site.
Other activities include the
Veggie Tails movie – The East-
er Carol , face painting, buggy
rides, archery demonstration
and pictures with the Easter
Bunny. The Columbia County
Rodeo Court is back again this
year with pony rides.
Anyone 15 or older can volun-
teer on his or her own, while
youths ages 10 through 14 can
volunteer with a parent.
The zoo is encouraging en-
tire families to volunteer. “Last
year several family members
volunteered together,” com-
mented Tony Vecchio, Oregon
Zoo director. “It’s rare for chil-
dren to be included in these op-
portunities. It’s a unique way to
create lasting family memo-
ries.”
The program is designed to
extend knowledge about the
importance of wildlife conserva-
tion, while simultaneously
bringing families together.
Duties include talking to zoo
visitors, ensuring the safety of
the butterflies, and monitoring
exhibit doors to prevent butter-
flies from flying away.
“I have seen huge changes
in the demeanor and communi-
cation skills of kids who volun-
teer,” commented Paula Mc-
Call, volunteer coordinator. “It’s
a fun learning experience for
everyone involved.”
There are many benefits to
volunteering. ZooAmbassadors
will meet people who share
similar interests and values; re-
ceive free zoo admission and a
complimentary train ride; have
the opportunity to volunteer at
zoo concerts; learn about how
to attract local wildlife; and par-
ticipate in training opportunities
only available at the zoo.
ZooAmbassadors are first
required to attend one orienta-
tion session. After attending
this overview, those who
choose to continue will receive
10 hours of training. Orienta-
tions are offered on the follow-
ing days:
Thursday, April 13, 10:00
a.m. to noon
Wednesday, April 19, 6:00 to
8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 22, 10:00
a.m. to noon
For the session of your
choice, call 503-220-2783 or e-
mail
communityvolunteer@
metro.dst.or.us.
The Oregon Zoo has one of
the largest zoo volunteer pro-
grams in the country. More than
1,700 individuals volunteer
more than 143,500 hours per
year.
MTC Works and Worksource Oregon Employment
Department would like to thank the following businesses
for making our 10 th Annual Columbia County Job &
Career Fair a huge success:
*Accelerated Learning System
*AFLAC
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
*Avamere @ St. Helens
Best Western Oak Meadows Inn
*Boise
Cadillac Island Casino
*Cambridge College
Cardinal Services, Inc.
Composites Unlimited
*Costco
*Everest College
Express Personnel
Farmers Insurance
*Fred Meyer
Gunderson, Inc.
H&R Block
Holland Burgerville
*Home Depot
*Madden Industrial Craftsmen
*Meadow Park Care Center
*Northwest Pipe Company
*Oregon Air National Guard
Oregon Army National Guard
Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon State Extension Service
Portland Habilitation Center
Portland Police Bureau
*Rose Valley Assisted Living Facility
*Salon Allure
Securitas Security Services
Sherman Brothers Trucking
*St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union *Stimson Lumber Company
Ticor Title
Tongue Point Job Corps Center
US Army Recruiting
Washington State Dept. of Corrections
Wauna Federal Credit Union
*West Coast Shoe Company
(*Employers who provided door prizes for the event)
Special thanks to:
CRPUD for hanging the Job Fair banner
Wild Current for catering the lunch
Costco for providing dessert
The 10 th Annual Columbia County Job & Career Fair was made possible in part with
Community Development Grant funds.