Local Aububon Society Thanks FOVL For Support

In the above photo, Janet Knudsen, vice president of Friends of Venice Library, speaks to the second graders about native birds. Char Romano, also of the Friends, is seated behind Janet.

Dear Friends of Venice Library,

I just want to take one more moment to thank your organization for the generous donation of bird books to all of those 2nd graders from all of those classrooms and all of those schools.  

I am a long-time member of Venice Area Audubon Society, have served on the board and served a number of years as Conservation Chair. We've had lots of different programs over the years and have had many partners supporting these programs, but in my 15 years with Audubon, I've never before been brought to tears -- literally -- seeing and hearing the response to your generous offer of bird books to these young people.

What a wonderful gift, a perfect gift. We get them out there looking into binoculars that help them see the birds, then you give them the equivalent of binoculars in the form of books to help them not only see birds, but also learn all about them. Pure genius. Pure generosity.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 Bob Clark, a.k.a. "Mr. Bob" to those 2nd graders.

The following two photos are Linda Soderquist, of the Audubon Society, teaching the second graders as they listen attentively to her every word.