Dear Wildwoods Family,
I am writing to let you know that after 13 years with Wildwoods, my last day will be September 21, 2019. I am leaving Wildwoods to go back to California to be close to my family. I may not be physically present, yet my heart will always remain at Wildwoods.
We have come a long way since we started doing wildlife rehabilitation in 2006. Our initial facility consisted of a spare bathroom in our home, and we only cared for a handful of patients. We never imagined that Wildwoods would grow into the organization it has become today, serving all of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. We have accomplished this solely by support from the public, as we do not receive any financial support from the government. The compassion of our community is heartwarming. People have brought patients to us from as far away as Moorhead to the west, International Falls to the north, Pine City to the south, and Bayfield to the east. We served 30 counties in 2018 and we have become the second largest wildlife rehabilitation center in Minnesota.
Our mission goes above and beyond providing medical care for individual animals in need. Our mission is “To promote the understanding, appreciation, and well-being of wildlife and the world we share through compassion, care, and community involvement.” Wildwoods is a sanctuary, not only for the patients, but more importantly for the kind-hearted people who are in need of help. Almost every person who walks through the door thanks us for being here. Compassion for both people and animals is why we are here.
As I reflect back on my years with Wildwoods, I find so many causes for gratitude. I am grateful for our community. Wildwoods has taught me how people unite for a common cause to make the seemingly impossible an actuality. Ten percent of our income comes from people who bring injured or orphan animals to us, and the remaining 90 percent comes from individuals who believe in the work that we do, and know that we will be there should they need our services. I have learned how interconnected we are to one another, and how people go above and beyond their immediate needs to provide a helping hand.
I am grateful to the dedicated staff, interns, and volunteers here at Wildwoods. The staff, interns, and volunteers at Wildwoods have also taught me a lot about self-sacrifice. I am so grateful to all of them; from the volunteers who show up regularly to care for orphans and those who take time out of their busy schedules to transport patients, to the interns who spend their summer working alongside our staff. And I am so grateful to the Wildwoods staff who not only work so hard to serve our patients, but who also volunteer a significant amount of time after-hours to planning and running education and fundraising events, making sure the office runs smoothly, and helping one another on their days off. We have a compassionate team who dedicates their time for a common cause.
In addition, we have a hearty board of directors who actively engage to generate the guidance for Wildwoods’ success. The members of the board shoulder the responsibility of leadership while considering many facets of issues that Wildwoods as an organization faces, then make difficult decisions during our on-going expansion while staying true to our mission. It is to the board; I give thanks for their willingness to take the helm of our ship known as Wildwoods.
I am grateful to our new Executive Director, Jessica LaBumbard, for joining our Wildwoods family. I have been working with Jessica for over a month and will continue to do so until my departure to ensure a healthy transition for Wildwoods. I trust that Jessica is capable and committed to leading this organization onward to a higher level. Besides bringing over 25 years of non-profit experience to Wildwoods, Jessica truly understands and embraces our mission. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work alongside her for the past five weeks.
As I prepare to move to California, I am assured that Wildwoods is in great hands with the support of our generous donors, dedicated board of directors, devoted executive director, and hardworking staff, interns, and volunteers. I am confident that Wildwoods will continue to flourish and serve the animals and the people who love them in the most compassionate manner.
Farzad