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The Many Uses of Fire Hose

May 28, 2021 by J.B. -

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Nicolas Santos, an 8th grade student at St. Luke School, recently collected fire hose for the chimpanzees. Nicolas’ parents, Erica (a former CSNW board member) and Enjay (a former CSNW volunteer), gathered up the family to help deliver it to the sanctuary.

The response to his project was so overwhelming that they had to rent a U-Haul trailer.

Already, Chad and I have began to hang some of it up in the new greenhouses, which are just weeks away from completion.

By the way – we’re very grateful to the donors who purchased the safety harness and lifeline from our wish list. Look at the view from up top! Just don’t look down.

As Nicolas mentioned in his flyer, chimpanzees use fire hose in a number of different ways.

They walk across it:

They climb across it:


They sit on it:

They swing on it:

They lounge on it:

They…do whatever this is:

Occasionally, they even wear it:

Thanks, Nicolas, for helping us enrich the chimps’ home! Honey B, Mave, Willy B, and the “Lucky Six” are going to love it.

16 Comments

  1. Avatar Linda C on May 28, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    And well done to Nicolas’ parents for raising sich a kind child!

    I love Annie’s James Bond impersonation!



    • Avatar jackie on May 28, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      I agree, Linda. They did a good job raising this kind and caring young man. The chimps will have a great time!



    • Avatar Mary Garripoli on May 29, 2021 at 6:06 am

      A kind and generous young man, raised by compassionate, generous parents! So wonderful.



  2. Kathy on May 28, 2021 at 7:27 pm

    Great. Job. Nicolas! This story made me happy. Nicolas is an inspiration. All too often I hear “I can’t” or “It won’t make any difference”, but Nicolas proves the naysayers wrong. His actions directly impact other’s lives in amazing ways. Nicolas, thank you for your initiative, creativity and compassion. Can’t wait to see how the chimps will use them.



  3. Avatar tom austin on May 28, 2021 at 7:27 pm

    I am very impressed with this thoughtful gift and the effort to make it happen…a Chimp inspired thank you note would complete the circle….having seen some of their “artwork”, they are quite capable of creating a suitable response….!



  4. Avatar Kathleen on May 28, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    Nicolas! You are amazing. (Same goes for the entire Santos family.) I see a future CWU Primate Behavior and Ecology student in the making.

    J.B., please promise me you’ll cut and save a few short pieces for Burrito to wear this summer. Fire hose is good for keeping the sun off your neck.



  5. Avatar Francoise on May 28, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    Way to go Nicolas! The future is in good hands.



  6. Avatar John Joseph O'Brien on May 28, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    Well done Nicolas and family.



  7. Avatar Paulette Wrisley on May 28, 2021 at 8:54 pm

    I love this! It’s so nice to hear of young people doing some thing so giving. Seems all we ever hear about is negative…

    JB I always enjoy the humor in your posts.

    Great pictures! They amaze me how they can balance their whole body on a little 4 inch strip. And walk on them with a huge handful of whatever that was LOL

    Nicolas amazed me, JB amazes me, and the chimpanzees forever amaze me.

    I’m sitting here staring at my iPhone with a big smile on my face LOL



  8. Avatar Elaine Reininger on May 29, 2021 at 2:15 am

    What a delightful story. I loved “whatever this is” picture. An amazing boy to have thought of this project and a big thank you to all the firemen for their contributions. And to the parents of Nick for encouraging and raising such a caring boy.



  9. Avatar marianne on May 29, 2021 at 3:22 am

    I agree with all the above!!
    Nicolas is an inspiration to his siblings too no doubt. The future of the sanctuary might just see three new volunteers and/or caregivers.
    Great job Nicolas!!



  10. Avatar Kathleen on May 29, 2021 at 6:48 am

    Hi J.B., I think I figured out “whatever this is”.

    It’s Mave’s version of Pilates! : )



    • Avatar Paulette Wrisley on May 29, 2021 at 8:19 am

      Ha!



      • Avatar Paulette Wrisley on May 29, 2021 at 8:22 am

        …and with an exercise band!



    • Avatar Linda C on May 29, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      It’s aerial yoga! She’s almost in angel position!



  11. Avatar Arlene and Michael on May 29, 2021 at 11:22 am

    Thank you Nicolas and your family! Thank you to those who donated the fire hoses as well. The Chimps will make good use of the hoses as we can see from the pictures. What a wonderful project.



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