Thursday, May 5

The WCV mailbags have been pretty full this past week — and lately, the eaglets have started receiving their own mail!

Many hand-made cards and notes are arriving from different children and classrooms, all wishing the eaglets well — as well as offering condolences for the loss of their mom.

Kevin Wall sent some artwork and a note:

[On the back there is a warning to the eaglets:  "Don't eat the paper."]

Ms. Smith’s class at St. John’s Parish Day School in Ellicott City, Maryland, sent a package of cards for the eaglets, as well as some photos.

Messages from the cards included:

“I’m so sorry your mom died. I like you eaglets. I hope you have fun at the Wildlife Center.” — Patrick

“Thank you for taking care of the baby eagles. And tell the eaglets I am sorry they lost their mom.” — Heather

“I am sorry that you lose your mom and dad. Be happy at the wild place.  I know you love to eat fish.” — Ted

“Dear eaglets, I hope you survive.  I hope you like the Wildlife Center of Virginia. We’ve been looking at you on the computer.” — Jay

 Friday, May 6

Mail call!  Friday brings more mail for the eaglets — this time from Copeland Middle School in Rockaway, New Jersey.  There are some incredibly creative and colorful cards in the bunch — we’re just sorry we can’t share them all here.  Instead, here is a sampling:

“This crane wishes the eaglets good luck.”

This one came with a little fold-out card in the upper left-hand corner that said, “I will … always remember you.”

Monday, May 9:

The letter says:

“Dear people of the nature preserve:

I heard about the mother eagle that died by the plane and how the eaglets are all alone.  It’s so wonderful you are helping the baby eagles through this tough time.  I wonder why the father eagle hasn’t returned to help the baby eagles, and how that one baby eaglets might be sick.  The babies are going through a tough time, so I am donating to you my leftover skating money. I hope the eagles will feel better and get well soon.  I can’t donate by credit card because I’m too young.

Sincerely,
Logan”

Logan sent a $1 bill from his leftover skating money.

Tuesday, May 10

This artwork was created by a five-year-old boy in Pennsylvania.  He sent this along with several drawings.

Wednesday, May 11

Environmental Educator Claire Thain presented two programs today at Waterman Elementary School in Harrisonburg, Virginia — and returned with an armful of letters and drawings from the students in Ms. Copley’s first grade class. 

Friday, May 13

Ms. Chester’s class at North Rancy Elementary School in Scottsdale, Arizona sent a packet of eagle art and poetry to the Wildlife Center.

Ms. Spooner’s class at Oak Ridge School in Palos Hills, Illinois sent these cards:

Ms. Donofrio’s class in Holland, Ohio raised money for the eaglets care — some students donated their Easter money, allowance, and cracked into their piggy banks. 

Ms. Radford’s class at Salemberg Elementary School in North Carolina mailed many letters to the eaglets.

Monday, May 23

Not all of the eaglet mail coming in is from classrooms — we’ve also received many cards and words of encouragement from our adult supporters (along with copious amounts of edible goodies).

One recent arrival this week was a poem written by one of the eaglet supporters:

TRIBUTE TO MOMMA EAGLE OF NBG

APRIL  26, 2011 

Dear Precious Momma Eagle,
I write this now with tears;
You’ve touched our hearts so deeply,
Especially those who watched you thru’ the years.

Your ‘family’ became a part of ours,
Watching and waiting for the first egg to appear;
Thru’ the storms you sat, thru’ wind and rain,
And then the exciting day, E-1 was FINALLY  here!

Of course, you knew exactly what to do,
After all, you’ve been “down this road” before;
Who were WE to question your parenting?
Now, there’s E-2 and E-3; we couldn’t have asked for more!

You nurtured them, fed them, protected them all,
Vigil watches in the darkness of the night;
Making sure Dad understood YOU were in charge,
One of you ALWAYS keeping the ‘little ones’ in sight!

We don’t understand how it happened this way,
To be taken from your babies and mate, so very sad;
Your refined head, graceful wings, eyes touching our souls,
Are forever in our minds, thankful for the time we had.

So, now, it is with great love, respect, and honor;
As we continue to watch your ‘little ones’ still alive;
Not forgetting your mate, for his life MUST go on,
As you soar in the Heavens above, knowing your babies survive.

I’m sorry, Momma Eagle, for the tragedy befallen you,
Your survival being challenged by an unfortunate event;
It’s a cold, harsh reality of the dangers you faced each day,
Makes us treasure you so much more, glad for the time we spent.

Don’t you worry, Dear Momma, they’re doing ALL they can,
To ensure your babies will grow up to be ‘JUST LIKE YOU’!
With such love and care, (I’m watching them now!),

They’ll be soaring the blue skies, just like you used to do!

Written in loving memory of Momma Eagle

by Charlayne Talley May 2, 2011 ©

“CHAREAGLE”

Tuesday, May 24

Today’s mail came from Ms. Gregg’s first grade class at Madisonville Elementary in Madisonville, Louisiana:

… Max went on to describe his favorite T.V. show, “Wild Kratts” — and says there’s even an episode about eagles.  “I hope you [get] to watch it!”

Friday, May 27

The mailbags are still full of goodies for the eaglets …

Mrs. Dill’s class at Stewartstown Elementary in Stewardstown, Pennsylvania sent some cards:

We also received a large packet from Desert Valley Elementary School in Bullhead City, AZ.  Ms. Matheson, the fifth-grade teacher, wrote a letter about how the students in the school watch the eagle cam — and not just at school!  After studying the eaglets, Ms. Matheson and her colleague Ms. Steele, decided to have a “Penny War” as a fundraiser for the WCV.  She writes, “Both classes agreed that in our ‘war’, the real winners would be the eaglets.”

Within a week, two large jars werefilled with pennies and other change — in the end, Ms. Matheson’s class won the war by raising $113.73.  Ms. Steele’s class was close behind, raising $99.75.  They were proud to enclose a total of $213.48 from the students and staff at Desert Elementary.   Photos, letters, and drawings were also included.

May 31

This card arrived from a student at Southview Elementary in Muncie, Indiana — along with a donation of 22 cents.

June 1

Ms. Manning’s class at Coupeville Elementary School in Coupeville, Washington sent these cards to the eaglets and the WCV staff.

Brittany writes, “I am very sorry that NZ, NX, and NV’s mom got hit by an airplane. I hope they love there new nest you are making them.  Thank you for taking care of the eagles.”

Kameryn writes, “Dear Wildlife Center, Thanks so very very much for helping the baby eagles. I am very grateful. I love the baby eagles very much.  So feed them lots of fish and what they like to eat, and love them with all your heart and take very special care of them.”

“Dear Eagles, My teacher told me about you living at the Wildlife Center. There is nothing to fear at the Wildlife Center. You will love the new nest they are building for you.  I hope you have a good time at the Wildlife Center and I hope you like it there.  Sincerely, Eric”

“Thank you for saving NZ, NV, and NX. I hope they will love their new nest.  Your friend, Arianna”

Ms. Stoner’s third-grade class at Eisenhower Elementary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania sent these large cards to the eaglets:

“Dear NV, NX, and NZ: I feel so SO bad for you guys about the loss of your mama. I love you guys.  You guys are like the cutest little eaglets.  I also feel bad for you guys because you don’t have your father with you.  R.I.P. Mama. Love, Becca”

“Dear Eaglets, I hear about your mom. I hope you will get some exursize. I love you eaglets! Hope your life continues to go. I’m sorry about your mom. So if you go back to your nest hope your dad will not kick you out.  Haylee”

“Dear NV, NX, and NZ, I’m sorry about your mother. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!  In our class there are three tables and we got to name our tables which our table was named Legacy – Girls!  Well I just thank you staff for taking care of the eaglets. Love, Jacqueline”

“Dear Eaglets, I am sorry that your mom died by the airplane. I hope you see your dad again when he sees you he will be like there is my daughters and my son they are so big know. I finally get to see you again.  How well are you doing kids. I really missed you. I ben watching you eating. Corey”

“Dear NV, NX, NZ, I love watching you guys you are all so cute.  Now you are starting to fly are, and you guys are so AWESOME all the time. I love you so much I wish I could have you for myself. You are AWESOME. I love you all sooooo much. From, Michelle”

June 10

From Ms. Novak’s 2nd grade class at Rankin Elementary in Greensboro, NC:

June 12

Humans aren’t the only ones that enjoy watching the eaglets … we received these photos from Linda in Williamsburg, Virginia:

June 16

Ms. Kreiter’s class in Scotrun, Pennsylvania didn’t just send cards — they also raised $50.00 for the Wildlife Center!

This is the picture that Ivan drew to make the eaglets feel better:

June 17

Ms. MacKenzie’s class at North Ridge Primary School in Commack, New York collected $108.00 for the memorial bench at Norfolk Botanical Gardens.  Ms. MacKenzie matched the amount to send to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.  They also made a giant letter for the staff — and many other cards.

Thanks for your thoughtful notes to the eaglets!