2018 Georgina Honouree
Many caring people heroically rescue and transport broken and suffering wild lives to Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge for care, including firemen, construction workers, grandmothers and other. Gail Lenters’ inspiration comes from such individuals.
On January 1st, 2017 Shades of Hope released a juvenile bald eagle out over Roches Point on Lake Simcoe. He had been hit by a car and suffered head trauma. After recovering, he was returned to the open skies of his home area. As they watched spellbound, another eagle swooped across the lake, calling to its missing sibling. Responding to each other in what appeared to be excitement, they claimed the cold winter drafts together over the icy water.
Gail was always driven to work hard and wasted no opportunity. Taught from an early age that there is never “nothing to do,” she was challenged daily to accomplish, learn, and achieve. Gail also learned that kindness and responsibility must be considered in every decision; both are in short supply in our world, but for Gail they are front and centre.
Gail’s successful print management business has allowed her to express her sense of responsibility and give back to the community through her charity and raison d’être, Shades of Hope. Value can only be recognized by those who are willing to learn and accept their position of duty in society. Looking at long-term strategies is wise too, ensuring our businesses are viable down the road and our communities are healthy and self-sustaining for our families, employees, and businesses. In Gail’s view, the evaluation of this should be a continual process.
The unexpected reward for Gail comes in the form of educational opportunities. Annually she provides an internship program geared towards university students studying conservation, wildlife biology, veterinarian sciences, etc. She has also gladly supported applications for career positions in conservation projects and other animal care facilities.
Gail is thrilled to see that charitable giving is now part of the curriculum in our schools. Our future is in the hands of our youth, and we need to teach our young people kindness and responsibility. Giving back should be a natural progression of maturity. It is meaningful, fulfilling, rewarding, and something everyone can do. Mow a senior’s lawn, volunteer your time. Opportunities are endless.
Although her primary focus remains Shades of Hope and its 4,000 patients each year, Gail supports other wildlife rehabilitation centres and is also interested in promoting medical training for wildlife workers. Still working full time to support her passion, Gail hopes to eventually retire to devote her complete energy to wildlife care.