To the editor:

As a close friend of Wendy Hall and the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge, here is what I know to be true.

The job is 24/7.

On call all the time.

I know whenever I made plans to get together with Wendy, they could be canceled last minute due to a wildlife call. This has happened on more than one occasion.

Loving the creatures that others have harmed. Some intentionally, some not. Pesticides, lead, bullets, cars, rocks, misplaced habitats, climate changes. Human-induced injuries. Neurological damage, broken wings, poisoned, stunted, starving, abandoned, left to die an unconscionable death.

Calls, retrievals. Evaluating, medicating, bandaging, feeding, swathing. Caring. Up all night … literally … to help them survive or die peacefully.

Healing. Ready. Whole. Second chance. Release.

Healing. Ready. Not whole but second chance to live at the refuge. Look in these creatures’ eyes, and hear their story. These creatures help educate the human soul. Are you listening? Are you seeing?

AWR speaks for the un-releasable, the released, the ones who died and the ones who still inhabit the wild. In addition to the 24/7 animal care provided by the AWR, they share their knowledge via written publications and on-site presentations, both at the Refuge and at other locations. They travel to schools, events and organizations in and outside of the Adirondack Park. The dedication, determination and commitment to educate and bring awareness to our impact on the Adirondacks and beyond is evident in their 24/7 lives.

It is impossible to fit all the good work the AWR provides into one letter to the editor.

Wendy said a lot in her Guest Commentary published recently in the Lake Placid News. I encourage you to read it and then, with open heart and mind, visit the AWR and support this amazing asset to our wildlife and community.

Yes, they are still open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gloria Volz

Saranac Lake