Tammy Devine

Most people who volunteer say that they get much more out of their volunteer work than they give, and that the rewards they receive from helping others are priceless. Tammy Devine is a bird lover and a bird watcher, and her volunteer assignment at The Grove in Glenview is a perfect match for her. She liked her job at Wild Birds Unlimited in their retail store, but gave up her position to be a caregiver for her Mom. She enjoyed her previous bird watching visits to The Glen, and had purchased things in The Store. When she saw the sign that they were looking for volunteers she decided that maybe this would provide her with a change of pace, and also provide her with opportunity to be in an environment that she loved. "Volunteering at the Nature Center has proven to be a great stress reliever for me," she said. "I like the bird habitat, I absolutely love the turtle tank, and I find the Illinois history memorabilia in the museum fascinating," she added. Whatever needs to be done, Devine just pitches in, and her duties include general cashiering, and answering phones, as well as sorting coupons, folding brochures and stuffing envelopes. She has been volunteering one day a week for the past eight months, and thinks it's great to be working in a big log cabin.

Kathy Jo Townson, Facility Secretary, stressed what a valuable asset Devine is to The Grove. "We just love Tammy to pieces. She never says no to any request; she will do anything we ask, and she graciously agrees to come in extra when needed. We would certainly welcome additional volunteers, and hope that other ladies and gentlemen will consider volunteering with us," she said.

The Grove consists of 123 acres of ecologically diverse prairie land located at 1421 Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview Illinois which is preserved and maintained by the Glenview Park District. The Grove offers many opportunities for educational, environmental, and historical enjoyment for families and people of all ages including the Kennicott House and the Redfield Estate. There is also a wetlands greenhouse, a schoolhouse, numerous interpretive trails, and several special events are held there each year. Because of its rich history, The Grove was designated a Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1976.

Devine was raised in Mount Prospect, but moved to Prospect Heights 12 years ago. She loves to study birds, and is a member of the Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS). Her hobbies include going on bird watching field trips with the IOS, and during the winter months they hunt for owls. She is an animal lover, and has several cats to keep her company. Devine is active at her church, and is a member of a Bible study group.

For information on volunteering at The Grove, or any one of the hundreds of other challenging volunteer opportunities that are available locally, call The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (all ages) at 847-282-1320, or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (seniors age 55 or better) at 847-228-1006. Check their website www.volunteerinfo.net for additional information.

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