Dear Friends of Pacific Marine Mammal Center,
It is with a grateful heart that we at PMMC extend to all of you our best wishes for a new year. We have been truly fortunate to have come through this challenging year with the extraordinary support of our donors, supporters, visitors and colleagues.
The "new" PMMC is better than ever. What seemed, at the time, a major catastrophe, has become the catalyst to rebuild and fortify our center on many levels. The exterior yard is more welcoming than ever, and we have continued to re-design and improve the center's infrastructure to ensure, as much as possible, against such major damage in the future. We have plans to re-build a permanent gift shop and to add on additional storage, a restroom and small meeting room for staff and volunteers.
The generosity of so many donors, as well as the major gift from Bob Barker, has made it possible for us to resume services in an efficient and timely fashion. We could never have done this without the help of so many "friends."
It has been my privilege to serve as PMMC's interim executive director since May, and I am grateful to the board for giving me the challenge and opportunity to serve this 40 year old Laguna landmark. My major tasks were to take a leadership role that would allow our Animal Care staff to do its job as efficiently as possible; to enhance the agency's financial and personnel policies; to work with the City of Laguna Beach to fulfill our re-construction projects and to work with our outstanding Board of Directors who serve as the stewards and ambassadors of PMMC. Our educational programs served more youngsters than ever and our Development department raised more money, in spite of a dreary economy, than ever before.
The highlights of our days, here at the Barn, are those days when we prepare to release a healthy pinniped back to its home environment. The miracles that take place, under the care and skill of our staff and volunteers, are heart stopping experiences, believe me.
None of this could have taken place without the support of over 100 dedicated volunteers who serve as animal care volunteers, docents, board members and other dedicated "friends," such as contractors, architects, artists, community leaders, partners and other professional colleagues who give of their time, talents and energy.
Thank you for making sure that we fulfill our mission -every day - 24/7!
Best regards,
Carole Zavala
Interim Executive Director
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