The animals are hungry at Zoo Miami, and volunteers Kathy and Ron Medford are pitching in to prepare their dinners.
“It's just being around where the animals are and feeling that we're doing some good,” said Ron Medford.
The pair also works in the office and helps out visitors.
The Medfords have volunteered every day at the zoo for the past 12 years. They are super volunteers, logging more than 82,000 hours at the zoo.
When asked how many years of full-time work that would add up to, Ron Medford said, “I never figured it out. I’m hoping we're of some value. I know we're of some value. The zoo needs help."
Local 10 did the math and figured out that 82,000 hours is more than 39 years of full-time work.
"I think the Medfords dedicate their life to the zoo because they truly love it. They truly love animals; they love conservation,” said Cindy Castelblanco, director of marketing for the zoo.
Both had long and fulfilling careers before this. Ron Medford worked at the naval observatory, and Kathy Medford was a caretaker. They may be retired now, but they aren’t ready to slow down.
"My feeling is that a volunteer in the organization needs to be here to do what needs to get done. So if something unexpected comes up and needs to get done, it's a volunteer’s job,” said Kathy Medford.
The kitchen is Kathy Medford's favorite place to help out.
“I feel there I'm doing something absolutely 100 percent contributing to the animals,” she said. Preparing the food takes about five hours and it's not easy work.
They follow a strict diet book, and each animal gets specific meals.
The Medfords feel volunteering at the zoo is an honor and a responsibility.
“We feel very privileged to do this,” said Kathy.
“I think the Medfords are like volunteer icons. I think it’s what everybody aspires to be,” said Castelblanco.