Sulphur Creek Nature Center recognizes John Raulino as the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District’s January 2020 Volunteer of the Month. John has been an amazing volunteer for the Center since 2010 and has volunteered over1,600 hours. He volunteers every Monday afternoon to help with animal care, which consists of feeding the resident birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates in the Discovery Center, along with the rehabilitation animals that are in outside enclosures. John also helps with the feeding of baby birds, putting the opossums,ducks and chickens away each night along with all the other closing activities.On top of his regular volunteer duties, John has also taken it upon himself to manage the compost piles and worm bins. His action allow Sulphur Creek to reduce its garbage by over 50%, helps fertilize the native gardens and is available for use at other park sites. The worm bin helps to feed toads, salamanders, turtles,skunks and other resident critters. The worm bin struggled for a few years due to inconsistent attention needed to make it productive, but since John took charge it is thriving and has saved the District money providing a food source for the animals as well as producing an amazing garden fertilizer.John is reliable, hardworking and fun to work alongside with while helping the animals. He keeps the staff and volunteers in step with a new musical playlist each week and donates chocolate (along with his wife, Vicki), for the special events and volunteer snack table. Thank you John for all your hard work, kindness and heart on behalf of the District, the staff and the animals at Sulphur Creek.
