Orphans of the Storm opens woodland preserve
Approximately 100 guests came together to celebrate as Orphans of the Storm opened a new woodland preserve on Friday, Oct. 2.
This 7.5-acre woodland preserve transformed a previously uncultivated area on the Orphans of the Storm grounds into a tranquil woodland with circuitous paths where dogs can exercise, bond with potential new owners and obtain a peaceful break from the bustling environment of the shelter. The ceremony helped to kick off National Adopt a Dog Month in October.
The space is dedicated to the memory of former shelter President Thelma S. Zwirner, acknowledging her 25-years of dedicated work to help Orphans of the Storm's stray and abandoned charges. The festivities included an outdoor ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a dog parade as guests and the shelter's dogs got to take their first walk through their new path.
"The event exceeded expectations and it was incredible to see the support of the community for the opening of the woodland preserve," shelter administrator Gail Donahue said.
The opening remarks at the ceremony were given by repeat Orphans adopter and CBS 2 meteorologist Ed Curran and shelter volunteer President Richard Zwirner. Among the attendees were animal adopters and supporters as well as police and community officials.
"My mother would be so proud and pleased by the community's support for the event and the care for the shelter's animals," Zwirner said. "It is clear that the dogs are already enjoying and appreciating the beautiful woodland preserve. She would be so delighted to know that the shelter is growing and expanding in such tremendous ways".
The new woodland preserve is an ideal space for prospective adopters to get to know their dog in a relaxed environment and where they can experience the animal's genuine personality.
The $65,000 project transformed an unkempt environment into a natural and calming space for animals. The project began late spring, led by manager, Tom Brackney, who cleared unwanted trees and plants to create the beautiful, circuitous, eight-foot-wide path through the wooded environment. More than 100 dead trees throughout the 7.5-acres were razed and the wood was then mulched into wood chips for the path. Workers also removed a tremendous quantity of buckthorn, an invasive plant that threatens the growth of native plant life. Arborvitaes were planted across the back of the property to block the view of neighboring properties, and the entire property was encircled with a protective fence. Next spring, tall prairie grasses will sprout alongside the path to add to the space's natural beauty.
The preserve honors Thelma Zwirner, a lifelong dog-lover who led Orphans of the Storm starting in 1969. A strong leader and dedicated visionary for the welfare of the animals entrusted to shelter care, Thelma Zwirner oversaw the expansion of the shelter from maintaining 46 dogs indoors to caring for 190 dogs with indoor and outdoor combined runs. By the time of her death in 1994, Orphans of the Storm had become one of the largest animal shelters in the country, built on the vision that no needy animal would ever be turned away. Over the course of the shelter's almost 90-year history, more than 120,000 pets have found new homes as loving and beloved additions to families.
Orphans of the Storm is at 2200 Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods. Animals may be adopted at any time; no appointment is necessary. Orphans of the Storm is a not-for-profit, nongovernment subsidized, section 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit orphansofthestorm.org or call (847) 945-0235.