Wish List

This is our newly-updated Wish List for 2012, and it now includes Volunteer Projects, Everyday Items, and Dream Items.  Feel free to contact us if you have something you may think we need, but it is not on the list.  We do our best to fully utilize every donated item.  Don’t forget…donations are tax-deductible!

• We have large rolls of paper that need to be cut into 24″ x 30″ sheets.  This involves rolling it out, cutting it, and stacking it.
• We have several light switches and outlets that need to be changed.  Some electrical experience would be useful.
• We have trim that needs installed.  A small portion is wood trim, the rest is the self-adhesive vinyl base trim.
• We need an artist to do something creative with our stairs.  The plain white is just not inviting!
• We need someone to hang pictures in the stairway.  I want the stairway to be a gallery of gifts!  When someone sends us a card, draws us a picture, etc. I would like for it to be displayed for everyone to enjoy.
• We need a creative Donation jar or box for the sign-in area.  Every penny counts!
• We need a T-shirt design for fundraising, sponsorships, volunteers, etc.
• We need someone to organize a annual fall rummage sale.  This would include finding donated items, finding a space for the sale, helping organize volunteers to host the sale, storing donated sale items, pricing, etc.  Ideally, the sale would be held in the northern suburbs.
• We always need cages wiped down.  This is something relatively safe, so it is good for those of you who want to help, but are a bit nervous about being close to the birds.
• All birds need conversation.  Reading children’s books to them, and/or singing to them when you visit is a great part of their day.
• Toys!  We need toy kits put together for volunteers to pick up.  They pick up the kit, make the toys, and return the completed toys. The more kits we have, the more toys that are returned.

Everyday Items:

• Perches of all sizes:  We send all of the perches with the birds as they are adopted, and some birds like to chew these to shreds.  We are in constant need of these in all diameters in lengths.  Natural wood (not dowels), Pedi perches, rope perches, and acrylic perches are the most needed.
• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (liquid):  This is the only soap we use, and we use a lot of it.  Any size bottle in any fragrance is greatly appreciated.
• Zupreem Natural Pellets (Conure size):  We leave pellets in the cage at all times.  This is one of the more popular ones used.
• Harrison’s High Potency Coarse Pellets:  These are given to our feather-challenged birds, so a constant supply is needed.
• Zupreem Fruit Pellets (Medium/Large size):  This is another type of pellet that is left in the cage at all times.
• Volkman Seed:  We use Volkman seed exclusively because it is very clean and free of dyes and pesticides.
• Fruit and Nut Trees; Berry Plants:  The gift that keeps on giving.  One way for us to be sure the treats we give the birds are safe is to grow them ourselves.  Willis Orchards, right here in Georgia, will ship directly to us if you place the order on their website at willisorchards.com
• Sprouting Blends and Sprouting Supplies:  We sprout each and every day, so we are always looking for new blends to sprout for the birds as well as new “tools of the trade”.  The dry beans, grains, seeds, and legumes keep well, so we can never have too much in back stock.
• Large Cages:  We are looking for cages that are at least 24×36 with no rust.  We can pay for them if the price is right, but donations are always appreciated!

Dream Items…If you are going to dream, dream big!:

• We are in need of at least 3 more Austin Healthmate 400 air purifiers.  We need one more near the cockatiels, one in the quarantine room, and one in the boarding area.  These are very expensive, and we have three already, plus the whole house purifier, but clean air is an absolute must for the birds here.
• We need an aviary, either the materials to build one or one from Cages by Design.  Cages by Design has offered us 20% off, but they are still thousands of dollars.
• We need professional noise control.  The walls are large, the rooms are rectangle, and the birds are loud. This combination makes for an echoing effect in the rooms.  With proper baffling, the environment would be so much more inviting and comfortable for the birds and the visitors.  The cost to do this is considerable, but you never know what miracles may happen!
• The cost to run the Village is in the 10′s of thousands of dollars.  A corporate sponsorship would ease our fundraising work load and let us focus more on bettering the life of The Village birds.  Plus…we make a great tax deduction and location for a company volunteer work day!