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MAARS News & Events

MAARS Reaches Out to Our Community

MAARS Women Shine at the Minneapolis Women's Expo

Every year thousands of people flock to the Minneapolis Women's Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center for a spectacular three-day event. Exhibitors address every aspect of a woman's life, from health information to food and fun. MAARS Volunteer Staff, from all facets of the organization, joined together on January 14–16, 2005, for a spectacular representation of the organization.

MAARS slogan for the show, Women are from Venus, but they run MAARS!, brought light to the fact that MAARS is almost entirely led by women. In fact, MAARS was founded by women and women continue to be a significant force in our current Volunteer Staff. MAARS message was loud and clear and well-received by show attendees. Numerous applications for adoption/placement and volunteering were received in the days and weeks following the event, and are still flowing in.

It was delightful to talk with those who visited our booth, and to share stories of the wonderful things that MAARS has done. MAARS' literature was given to everyone who stopped by the booth, along with an invitation to support the organization. Many people came to us seeking advice or just to tell us about the birds in their lives. MAARS Volunteers provide much more than avian care at the shelter, they are ambassadors for captive birds everywhere.

It is vital that MAARS continues to reach out to the public — to educate, inform, and appeal to potential supporters. We are supported by those who volunteer, adopt, donate, or merely tell someone else about us. The more people that we reach, the greater the number of captive birds we can serve.

MAARS Hosts MLK Day of Service

On January 17, 2005, Americans across the country celebrated the national holiday honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since 1995, hundreds of thousands of people have remembered Dr. King by participating in service projects in their communities.

In conjunction with the Volunteer Resource Center, MAARS hosted its first day of service, honoring the national holiday, Martin Luther King Day. Over 20 individuals from across the Twin Cities area volunteered their time to make toys for the birds in MAARS' care. MAARS Volunteer Staff, Alex Rueber and Natasha Prange, led the assembly and the crew made over 50 toys for birds of all sizes. Together, they honored King's legacy by making the holiday "A day ON, not a day OFF."

The toys were not the only benefit from the day. Volunteers got the opportunity to tour MAARS' shelter, The Landing, and to learn more about the organization. One volunteer commented, "I cannot believe the work they do at MAARS. I am thrilled that I got a chance to help them out." Leaders from Project for Pride in Living (PPL) brought a large group of teenagers to MAARS that day and have already made plans to schedule another day of service. (PPL is a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for low-income families throughout the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, metro area.)

We hope to make this day of service an annual event at MAARS — teaching, bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and putting citizens into action for change.

"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." Martin Luther King, Jr.

MAARS Landing Does Double-Duty as Avian Health Classroom

On Friday, February 11, 2005, twelve students from the Minnesota School of Business Veterinary Technician Program visited The Landing to attend the Basic Bird Care Class MAARS offers and obtain the invaluable experience that working with MAARS birds can provide. The class covers the basics of housing, nutrition, and the signs of health and illness in captive birds. MAARS also offers learning opportunities for the Veterinary Technician program students at Argosy University and Veterinary Medical program students at the University of Minnesota. We are thrilled to have the chance to invest in the future of avian medicine!

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