If you are interested in being part of the Junior Volunteer Program please go to www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/volunteer.php for more information.

Rich Ungemach and his daughter Alyssa have been volunteering at Carolina Raptor Center since January 2006. They volunteer in the resident bird care department and clean and water the cages. Alyssa is a 6th grader at C.C. Griffin School and Rich is an employee of Duke Energy. Alyssa also has a little sister, Katelynn that will join the dynamic duo volunteering as soon as she turns 10.

Alyssa: "I came to CRC for a group community service project and realized how cool it was here and said we had to keep volunteering here."

Rich: "I have been coming to CRC since '82 when I first moved here and have always wanted to volunteer here, but had never signed up. When Alyssa told me she had to volunteer here, I figured this is the perfect opportunity. "

Alyssa: "I was in the Resident Bird Care room getting vinegar bottles to clean the cages and another volunteer was in the room weighing King Arthur the Golden Eagle. He baited (jumped of the handler's glove) and hit me on the ankle. It was so cool."

Rich: "Yeah she went home bragging to everyone that a Golden Eagle hit her. My first memory was at orientation when another volunteering brought a red tailed hawk in and fed it a mouse right in front of us. The hawk ripped the thing into two pieces as soon as it got it. I thought wow, so this is what I am getting into!"

Alyssa: "Wow! That's a tough question….can I say everything?"

Rich: "Being so close to the birds, I mean you can go on the trail and see them but being right there cleaning their cages is just so amazing."

Alyssa: "Gaylady, a Northern harrier, and pretty much all of them."

Rich: "Probably Cinnamon, the American kestrel."

Alyssa: "The birds really need it. Its fun and it's such a wonderful experience."

Rich: "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Alyssa: "I ride horses, play basketball, and I am on the cheerleading team. I would really like to volunteer at an animal shelter and at a horse rescue center, but dad says I can't do everything."

Rich: "I pretty much cart the kids around and I really enjoy riding bikes with the kids, but no spandex please!"

This is the second in our new series of monthly volunteer spotlights. If you would like to see a certain volunteer spotlighted please email lbhavnani@carolinaraptorcenter.org. Check back next month for another glimpse into our dedicated and diverse group of volunteers.

Questions: Contact Louise Bhavnani, Director of Volunteer Services 704/875-6521 x 102
lbhavnani@carolinaraptorcenter.org