When a container ship's collision with the San Francisco Bay Bridge on November 7, 2007 caused a large spill of 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel oil that coated birds and other wildlife, animal lover Haley Gee knew she had to help. "I saw a picture in the newspaper a few days after the spill. The picture was of a bird that was covered in oil. I felt really sorry for the birds and all the birds in the oil spill because they didn't do anything wrong and a lot of them have died. Oil makes the feathers lose the power to keep air next to their body so they get cold. Finding this out made me want to help them, so I made a poster and the next day I took my mom's bucket (which she loaned me) and I went around my neighborhood asking for money and towels for the birds. That day, we went to the Berkeley Marina and I gave them the money and towels we'd gotten for the birds. It felt good to be helping. Next, I brought by bucket to school and asked for money and towels for the birds. I have raised more than $400 so far."

As of November 21st, 1,053 oiled birds arrived live to the bird center in Cordelia. A total of 767 have been washed of oil. At least 1,544 dead birds have been collected in the field. For the latest information, pictures and field reports on the International Bird Rescue Research Center's rescue efforts, click here Oil Spill Response.

In honor of her efforts, the International Bird Rescue Research Center created a special fund, Hayley's Bird Rescue Fund. All monies donated into this fund will be used towards treating the thousands of birds IBRRC treats every year at its two California bird centers. Thanks to Haley, outside donations now total more than $13,400.