The Sedgwick County Zoo Announces $750,000 Gift From Cargill
For Immediate Release: February 10, 2004
Contacts: Christan Baumer, (316) 266-8212, suzanne_mccarty@cargill.com
Wichita, KS – The Sedgwick County Zoo announced today that it has received a pledge of $750,000 from Cargill Meat Solutions in support of the Zoo’s “Keep Your Zoo Heads and Tails Above The Rest” Capital Campaign.
The announcement was made by Gayle Malone, President of the Zoological Society Board of Trustees; Mark C. Reed, Executive Director of the Sedgwick County Zoo; Ron Holt, Director of the Division of Culture, Entertainment and Recreation for Sedgwick County; and Bill Rupp, Executive Vice President, Excel Corp. and President of the Beef Business Unit.
Upon completion of the expansion of the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Education Complex it will be dedicated and known as the Cargill Learning Center. "We are proud to support the Sedgwick County Zoo on behalf of our 900 employees, customers and their families in Wichita," said Rupp. " We believe that the Cargill Learning Center will help enhance our zoo’s ability to bring quality educational resources to Wichita -- just one example of how we strive to meet our corporate vision to the global leader in nourishing people."
Cargill has partnered with the Sedgwick County Zoo for many years having provided funding for the Oliver Animal Hospital, the "Pride of the Plains" exhibit and summer concert series. Employees also participate in many zoo activities.
In addition to the Cargill commitment, several other significant contributions to the campaign were announced including Fidelity Bank’s commitment to the construction and completion of the new suspension bridge in the Downing Gorilla Forest; and Cox Communications support of the new tunnel that will link the Learning Center to the Zoo’s centrum area allowing much better access for students and volunteers alike.
The Zoo’s $12 million campaign is focused on funding three specific projects: The Downing Gorilla Forest at $5.5 million; the Cargill Learning Center at $1.5 million; and the Endowment Fund at $5 million to keep the Zoo an affordable experience. Currently, the Zoo has received commitments towards its goal totaling nearly $8 million.
Former Zoological Board member Jeff Johnson, President of Flint Hills International, and former Zoological Board member, past Board President and Honorary Chair Mary Lynn Oliver, are leading the campaign.
Cargill Meat Solutions provides an extensive line of premium quality beef, pork and turkey products and programs to recognized retail and commercial food service markets around the world. The business is a subsidiary of Cargill, an international provider of food, agriculture and risk management products and services. With 101,000 employees in 60 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit www.cargill.com.
The Sedgwick County Zoo is a not-for-profit organization. It has been recognized with national and international awards for support of field conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. It’s the number one outdoor family tourist attraction in Kansas, and is home to more than 2,500 animals of nearly 500 different species.
Sedgwick County Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Look for the logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.