On March 25, 2011 the wildlife rehabilitation community lost a great friend and mentor, Nonda Surratt of Cedar Hill Wildlife Care in Ohio following a brief illness. In lieu of flowers, it was her wish that a donation be made to The Dawes Arboretum in her memory.

UPDATE: As of July 19, 2011 our goal has been reached! Many thanks to those that helped us reach this goal as we could not have done it without you. Not sure how long it will take Dawes to order the bench and get it in, but as soon as it is in place, will try to get photos to be placed here so everyone can see Nonda's Bench in its chosen place at Dawes.

UPDATE: July 26, 2011, received a call from Dawes Arboretum to let me know that they had received the check and the bench was being ordered. I thanked them for working with us on making this happen. They let me know they will send a picture as soon as the bench is in place and the squirrel wood carving has been applied to the back railing of the bench. I will post pictures here as soon as I get them.

UPDATE: October 7, 2011, Nonda's bench was installed at Dawes Arboretum. With heart felt thanks to everyone for being so kind, Don, her husband, took some photographs to share with everyone so we could see not only the bench, but also the beautiful view you would have from sitting in the bench. Thanks Don for sharing these photographs so that those of us that don't live close enough to visit can see the beauty that surrounds the special place you picked for Nonda's Bench. Nonda will always live in our hearts and will always be remembered.

View of the bench from a distance

Nonda's Bench

Nonda's Bench

Memorial Plaque on Nonda's Bench

View of Dawes Arboretum from Nonda's Bench

View of Dawes Arboretum from Nonda's Bench

First visitors to Nonda's bench on Oct. 7, 2011.