Every successful non-profit organization is powered by passionate staff, volunteers, and supporters who give generously of their time and talent to support non-profit work that makes a difference. For someone like me, who loves keeping up with current events, the difficult headlines as of late can make it feel like compassion and kindness are the exception rather than the rule. However, so many selfless people care deeply, give without limits, and truly live every day for others.

I want to tell you about one such individual who has quietly but consistently supported the Nature Center for over 25 years. Charles Duffy, VMD, has been our nature center hero, providing free veterinary care to all our animals for decades. Treating eye and ear problems, mites and fungal infections, removing tumors, spaying and neutering our new animals, treating allergies, prescribing medications, and giving rabies vaccinations are some of the services he has provided to our Nature Center. No concern is too small: a goopy eye, a mystery bump, or a nail trim on a stressed sugar glider, Charlie Duffy is there for us whenever we need him. To honor his dedication to our organization, in 2020, he was the first recipient of our David Sinclair volunteerism award.

Most recently, when our beloved bunny Pepper became gravely ill, Dr. Duffy did everything in his power to pull her through this crisis. Pepper spent almost a week at the Norwalk Veterinary Hospital receiving round-the-clock treatment for her bacterial infection. Unfortunately, despite the very best of care, Pepper could not be saved, and Dr. Duffy seemed to be as heartbroken as we were.

The Darien Nature Center is not the only non-profit where Dr. Duffy gives of his time. In addition to our animals, he also cares for the mammals at the Norwalk Aquarium, the Fairfield and Norwalk Police Department K-9s, the wolves at the Wolf Conservation Center, and the animal welfare and rehabilitation organization, Animal Nation. I don’t know how he finds the time to give to so many organizations on top of his busy veterinary practice, but he finds a way.

As impactful as these contributions by Dr. Duffy and other selfless individuals are to critters, people, and non-profit organizations, for me, there is an equally important message I hold on to. Dr. Duffy and others like him offer tangible examples of empathy, care, and healing right within our community. Imagine the impact of a world filled with Charlie Duffys and Jane Goodalls! These are the encouraging headlines I wish we saw more of when we read a newspaper or scroll through a newsfeed. My dream for the new year is that the inspiring, principled individuals living in our communities and wider world show us all a kinder way forward towards people from every background, wildlife, and our beautiful planet.

Molly Robertson

Program Director