timber ridge

The Chattahoochee Nature Center would not be able to care for its injured wildlife, educate thousands of schoolchildren, or hold exciting programming without community support. Recently, the community at Timber Ridge Elementary School, in Cobb County just down the road from CNC, showed CNC just how much they care for our work.

The students collected canned goods, gift cards, and more all to donate to CNC’s Wildlife Baby Shower, raising much needed funds for the wildlife department. The effort was organized by Michelle Bonsecour, whose children attend the school.  

 “This past year, I have made CNC a weekly (usually) trip with my son, William,” said Bonsecour. “When we saw the baby shower donation box on one of our rainy day visits, we knew we could help. We realized a lot of people only visit CNC once, and they were unlikely to bring canned goods with them, so we decided to take the fundraiser to Timber Ridge. Alison Dunford (Timber Ridge STEM teacher) was instrumental in letting us bring this to Timber Ridge.”

As a bonus, CNC had just received a large and generous donation of stuffed otters from the Roswell Rotary Club. Everyone who donated to the wildlife department during the month of February could take an otter home with them. For Bonsecour, these toys were a perfect fit for the school.

“The otters were a huge incentive for the kids, for sure, but we also made sure the kids were learning how close the center is and what you do every day,” she said. The school sold hundreds of the otters for donations. 

“We personally LOVE going to CNC after school, no matter the weather, there is something to do and have fun while learning,” Bonseour said. “We absolutely don’t leave the center without having learned something new.”

As thanks for their donations, CNC paid a visit to the school, complete with CNC mascot, Kingfisher, and Sammy the Stork, the mascot of Northside Hospital, along with the entire Wildlife Department staff.

The need for donations and support at the Wildlife Department is constant. Over 600 injured animals come in every year and need food and medical supplies. To help out, click here.