From Start

To Finish

For TSBRR
trained volunteers

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED TO HELP INJURED BIRDS

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research is looking for volunteer drivers to help pick up injured wild birds from Delaware and the adjoining states, and bring them to the rehabilitation center for medical care, or participate in a relay team.  Drivers may also help with transporting recovered birds for release.  Drivers are needed from the entire state of Delaware; Salem County, New Jersey; and Eastern Maryland.    If you would like to learn more, please call 302-737-9543, ext. 102 or email our volunteer coordinator.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award honors an individual who has provided outstanding volunteer contributions over an extended period of time, excelling in commitment, quality and spirit of service.

JOHN FRINK

There is a very good reason that the wildlife center building at Tri-State bears the name Frink Center for Wildlife.  Tri-State was conceived, nurtured, and supported not just by founder Lynne Frink, but equally so by John Frink, who continues as a volunteer to this day.

During the past 30 years, John has served in many capacities, all of them volunteer. With his photographs, he helped document our development and heighten public awareness of the plight of native wildlife. As a birder par excellence, John shared his knowledge with the staff, helping us identify birds and provide the best possible care.  As a computer whiz, he helped us create the databases that allow us to analyze and publish what we’ve learned in the clinic. He’s written articles; given talks; edited newsletters; helped care for oiled birds; and served on many board committees.

John recently retired from his position on the Board of Directors, and we will miss his clear thinking and untiring dedication. But we know that he is only a phone call away. And if his past devotion is any indication of his future performance, we know we have not seen the last of John in the building that bears his name.

The Mary Robinson Award

This award was named for Board Member Mary Robinson on her retirement in 2001.  Mary served the board as Treasurer for 16 years, and has been a strong advocate for Tri-State.  This award represents a volunteer who does not primarily work directly with the birds, but who has given tirelessly for the betterment of the organization.

BOB WOOD

When Bob ventured through the double glass doors in the lobby in 1998 asking for directions, I don’t think he knew how involved he would become with Tri-State Bird Rescue.

Bob started his “career” here during baby bird season and more often than not, Bob could be found, feeding baby birds, washing dirty dishes, and cleaning.  Bob stood out as a volunteer who worked hard during his shift and at the end would say “What’s Next?”

Bob not only provided care for wild birds in the Clinic, he also has a lot of experience as an oil spill volunteer.  We can count on Bob to come in after work in the evening or give up his weekends to help in a crisis.

As if that weren’t enough, Bob has worked behind the scenes at almost every special event we have held and is currently the President of our Board of Directors, serving on the Finance, Nominating, and Development Committees.  We are grateful for his leadership and dedication.

The Pat Wolters Wild Bird Stewardship Award

This award represents a volunteer who has been dedicated to our mission and committed to TSBR for many years.  They are active in many areas of our operation; they have excelled as a volunteer, serve as a mentor to new volunteers, have shown the ability to lead others, and pass on their contagious enthusiasm for Tri-State to all.

MARYANNE YINGST

Maryanne started with Tri-State in 1995 working with recovering adult birds in our Clinic.  Over the years she has worked tirelessly to provide compassionate care to thousands of birds.  Maryanne has participated in advanced training to become a Bird Care Assistant and can assist the staff in administering medications. She also fills in managing shifts as a Relief Clinic Supervisor. 

Maryanne’s dedication doesn’t stop there. She has been instrumental in welcoming and training new volunteers, transporting injured birds to the center, and can be counted on during an oil spill incident to help rehabilitate contaminated critters.

A true team player, Maryann always has a positive attitude and is supportive of others. Tri-State is a better place because of her service.

The Volunteer of the Year Award

This award represents a volunteer who has made a noteworthy achievement or given extraordinary effort during the past 12 months.

NOEL MILLIGAN

Noel started with Tri-State Bird in 2002 as a bird care volunteer and she proved to be a compassionate, devoted and reliable individual, working in many different aspects of Tri-State.

Noel works a Clinic shift every Tuesday. In addition, she has boiled literally thousands of eggs for bird diets, works tirelessly during an oil spill, mentors new volunteers, works special events, and has done more than her fair share of laundry.

What made Noel standout as Volunteer of the Year is her transportation help.  We get many calls from downstate Delaware about injured birds in which the caller cannot transport the bird to our Center in Newark.  We do not have an ambulance, so a relay system of volunteers is the only way we can get the birds to Tri-State for care. We had a huge void of help in that area, and Noel stepped up to transport birds from Dover to Newark on almost a daily basis. She went above and beyond and ensured swift care for wildlife.

The Fledgling of the Year Award

This award represents a volunteer who has been with Tri-State a short time, but has made a great impact.

LAURIE BOTHA

Laurie began her journey with Tri-State Bird not long ago in 2005.  Laurie may be quiet as a mouse, but she’s a dependable, tender and compassionate volunteer.

From the day she started, Laurie came in twice a week and made sure the birds had their morning food, their cages cleaned, the dishes washed, and she didn’t stop there.  Quite often we could find her washing bird care room walls, floors and whatever else was dirty and if all that was taken care of, she’d start on the laundry.

Laurie has also devoted many hours to oil spill response and can be counted on whenever she is needed. 

This past summer Laurie accepted a volunteer intern position with Tri-State and worked 5 days a week, 7 hours a day.  Laurie has been a wonderful mentor to new volunteers and is always willing to tackle any job we give her.

BELINDA PIETERSE

Belinda moved to our area in 2005 and stopped in one day to see what we did and immediately wanted to help.  She was so eager to start she didn’t want to wait for our next workshop. With the training manual in hand, she left that day and said I’ll call you!  Within a week, Belinda was on the phone saying she was ready to work with another volunteer.

I had the perfect volunteer to train her – Laurie Botha.  Both Laurie and Belinda had moved to the states from South Africa, and had a quite a bit in common.  Belinda caught Laurie’s enthusiasm and she too started coming in twice a week. 

During oil spill incidents, Belinda seemed to be here almost every day, helping the oiled birds; feeding, cleaning, changing pools or preparing diets.  Belinda has also helped at our special events, trained and mentored new volunteers and always has a welcoming smile for all.

Unsung Hero Award

Recognizes the outstanding efforts of individual volunteers who play a vital role “behind the scenes” to support Tri-State’s mission

SHERRY GRIZZEL

Sherry became a volunteer 24 years ago and has been a familiar fixture on Sundays ever since.  She’s fed thousands of baby birds, cared for as many adult birds, trained hundreds of new volunteers, and helped with our special events.  Sherry also serves on our Development Committee helping to raise much-needed funds to keep our doors open and patients fed.

Sherry is an extremely positive person and her enthusiasm is catching. She is a great role model for new volunteers and serves as a mentor to them.  A cheerleader for Tri-State all these years, her dedication to Tri-State is to be admired and respected. 

DEBRA HIRT

Debra started in the summer of 2004 and became active during our baby bird season.  She not only liked wild birds, they soon became her passion.

Debra worked at least one shift a week and was always available if we needed a volunteer to come in on short notice.  During the winter when we had bad weather, I knew I could count on Deb to come in and help. Coming from Maine, Delaware winters are just a joke to Deb!

During the Athos spill, Deb was here almost every day.  She didn’t stop coming after the birds were washed – she still came in to feed and clean their cages and was instrumental in their release back into the wild. 

Deb has since moved back to Maine.  Although we miss her very much, she will not be forgotten. Deb hopes to become a licensed rehabilitator in Maine and continue to help wildlife.

KIM STEININGER

Kim became a volunteer early in 2002 and started working immediately with adult and baby birds and then soon became an oil spill volunteer.

Kim has worked many hours in the clinic and even more during an oil spill, caring for injured and oiled birds.  She also plays a critical role in the release of birds, putting many miles on her car to release them in a safe, natural habitat.

Kim has been a part of our Raptor Re-Nesting Team and has been instrumental in returning many baby Great horned owls, Red-tailed hawks and others back to their nest to be raised by their parents.  She is also an award-winning wildlife photographer takes photographs of our patients and releases for our purposes.  She has also freely donates use of her photos for our publications and fundraising projects such as Tri-State’s 2007 Calendar.

Rising Star Award

Volunteer under the age of 18 who has made significant contributions to TSBRR, and whose dedication sets an example to other youths and shows exceptional promise. 

LAURA THEIN

Laura started volunteering with tri-state last year during our busy baby bird season and has been diligently working almost every Sunday afternoon since.  Not only did she feed baby birds, she went on to learn about how to care for the adult birds and also became an oil spill volunteer.

Laura can be counted on to work hard and work frequently, always has a smile on her face.  Laura loves to do something new and has been a big help at our annual Open House and Yard Sale. 

Laura is a great example of the positive impact young people can have in our community. We have no doubt she will continue to make a difference for wildlife.