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VOL. 13 • NO. 50
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017
Villa Park woman’s donation to help fund new raptor housing Dorm will house education raptors at Wildlife Center
shows that one person can indeed make a difference.” “These donations will help us build a better home for our majestic education raptors, who serve a vital role in connecting people to nature,” said Forest Preserve District ComRetired music teacher Donna missioner Tim Whelan, District 4. “Ginger” Jelf lived a simple life but Developed by Nancy Pierson 30 never wavered in her pursuit of her years ago, the raptor outreach prothree passions: music, travel and animals. “She loved wildlife and she loved taking walks on the trails in the preserves,” said her niece, Jackie Miller. Jelf, a Villa Park resident who passed away Nov. 5, 2016, donated $225,124 to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for construction of a new raptor dorm at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. The dorm will house Willowbrook’s eight education raptors, permanently disabled birds that are part of the raptor outreach program. The raptor house will feature 12 enclosures and a weathering area to provide the resident hawks, falcons and owls with enriching and visually stimulating experiences beneficial to their mental and physical well-being. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2018 and finish by spring 2019. “It was really important to my aunt to provide shelter and food to animals,” Miller said. “She would be so pleased to know that her donation went to build a permanent structure for these birds.” ComEd and other individuals have also donated to the raptor dorm project as part of Willowbrook’s 60th anniversary campaign in 2016. “We are very grateful for these donations that make it possible for us to proceed with this project,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore. “It
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 16 Worship Directory....8 Classifieds..........20-21
gram uses live raptors in programming to enhance the effectiveness of its wildlife educational programs and encourage personal bonds between interpreters, birds and the audience. The program creates a lasting impression about the relationship between humans and wildlife in the community. Over the course of 30 years, Wil-
lowbrook has presented more than 2,400 raptor programs to DuPage County children and adults. Willowbrook also reaches more than 2,100 students and 400 adults through three formal raptor programs each year. Several native animals with permanent disabilities live in enclosures along the center’s outdoor
exhibit trail, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, a turkey vulture, owls, red foxes, a bobcat, a groundhog, raccoons and opossums. The Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances the vision of the District through philanthropic endeavors. For more information, call 630-933-7097 or email fundraising@dupageforest.org.
Joyful Traditions light up the holidays
PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Villa Park Independent
A
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Here is a family meeting Santa an Mrs. Claus at the 19th annual ‘Joyful Traditions’ holiday event sponsored by the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, which took place on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Gazebo on the Prairie Path. A huge crowd enjoyed caroling by the Willowbrook High School Choir, horse-drawn ‘sleigh’ rides, build your own s’mores and food provided by local businesses and organizations including the Villa Park VFW Post #2801, Dominick’s Pizza, Papa Dogs Catering, Las Isla Marias, Kuppie’s Bakery, Michael Anthony’s Pizzeria, Firehouse Subs, Gordon’s Food Services and more.
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