SEATTLE, WA (PRWEB) November 10, 2003 ? One organization helps endangered birds; the other helps needy children. But this month, World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP) and the Alaska Raptor Center will join their efforts to raise awareness for both causes.
Through dedicated efforts of WACAP supporters, representatives of the Alaska Raptor Center will arrive in Seattle on November 12, 2003, bringing with them Volta, a large bald eagle.
From November 13-15, Volta will visit local elementary schools. In this setting, school children will learn about the birds, their habitats and Alaska firsthand during the up-close visits.
Then, on Saturday evening, November 15, Volta and his trainers will head to the WACAP Children?s Hope Auction at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center. Here, the nation?s symbol will help to encourage attendees to reach deep into their pockets as they bid on a chance to fly to Sitka courtesy of Alaska Airlines, tour Sitka and go behind the scenes at the Raptor Center, and help release an eagle into the wild. Proceeds from that auction bid will benefit both organizations.
?Everyone loves to help children, but when this majestic eagle comes on stage and spreads his wings, or even just looks around at the crowd, you?ll know that even Volta understands how precious children are and how important it is to help them with our generosity,? said Kristine Leander, Director of Development and Communication.
WACAP?s mission is to find homes for children who need them and to provide nutrition, healthcare and education to orphaned and impoverished children in nine countries. The Children?s Hope Auction raises funds toward these goals.
In keeping with WACAP?s global commitment, several international trips are offered as auction items?including excursions to China, Russia, Africa, Italy, Hawaii and Mexico. There are also many beautiful and unusual items from around the world, as well as numerous autographed sports memorabilia items, fantastic dinners and fun experiences.
?This auction is one of the best secrets in Seattle,? said Sandra Lindstrom, auction co-chair. ?Not many people are aware of it, yet it is very much a first-class event with incredible items, and anyone can reserve a seat.?
For more information about the Children?s Hope Auction, call WACAP at 206-575-4550 or visit http://www.wacap.org.
About Alaska Raptor Center
The Alaska Raptor Center was established in 1980 in the backyard of two concerned Sitkans, starting with one injured bald eagle. The effort grew, and volunteers treated eagles at their homes until 1983, when they moved to a small shed on the campus of Sheldon Jackson College. In 1991 the Center moved to its present location on 17 acres bordered by the Indian River.
Each year, the Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to approximately 200 injured bald eagles and other birds. Our goal is to release our patients back into the wild; some, however, are injured so severely they could not survive in the wild even after rehabilitation. These birds may join our Raptors-in-Residence, providing excitement and education for more than 40,000 annual visitors and for the 14,000 schoolchildren we reach through the Adopt-A-Raptor program and classroom presentations around the country.
About World Association for Children and Parents
In the belief that every child deserves a family, WACAP places children who need homes into adoptive families and provides humanitarian aid to children who are orphaned or living in poverty. WACAP, a pioneer in international adoption, has placed more than 8,000 children and helped an additional 160,000 children worldwide.
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