Development Department Janet Rose Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives 412-365-2540 jrose@pittsburghzoo.org Lori Elder Membership Manager 412-365-2534 lelder@pittsburghzoo.org Amy O’Neill Foundation and Grants Coordinator 412-365-2543 aoneill@pittsburghzoo.org Rachel Kisic Development Coordinator 412-365-2541 rkisic@pittsburghzoo.org Emily Beyer Development Assistant 412-365-2503 ebeyer@pittsburghzoo.org Richard Kalson Chair, Board of Directors Dr. Barbara Baker President & CEO In compiling this report, the development office has made every attempt to ensure that the information is accurate, complete, and all contributions are listed accurately. If there are omissions, misspellings, or other errors, please report them to the development office at 412-365-2541 and please accept our apologies.
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Saving the Black Rhino at the Pittsburgh Zoo Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives
On September 22nd, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium held a special evening event for Grow Wild Society members. GWS members are sustaining members of the Zoo who make a significant annual contribution to the Zoo to help advance wildlife conservation efforts and build a more intimate relationship with the organization. The event was held in honor of World Rhino Day, the one day a year when all over the world, people recognize the five species of rhino— Black, White, Greater One-Horned, Sumatran and Javan. Here at the Zoo, we are very lucky to have and to be part of saving, one of the most endangered of these species– the black rhino. A key part of our effort is actively building a successful breeding program. But at the same time that we are celebrating, we are facing one of the world’s most devastating wildlife crises, the destruction and possible extinction of this incredible animal. Primarily poached for their horns, rhinos need and use their horns for protection. While the horns can eventually grow back, most of the poaching is done illegally and the poachers simply hack off the horn, usually killing or maiming the animal in the process. If females are killed who have young, there is no way that the young can survive. So begins the precipitous tumult of the species. So what is happening here at the Pittsburgh Zoo is nothing short of miraculous. With the birth of baby black rhino Janine, who just celebrated her second birthday, the Zoo witnessed the first birth of a black rhino at the Zoo in over 45 years. Janine, so
Janine, the first black rhino born at the Zoo in over 45 years. 3
named by Bob and Janine Fragasso, who researched the name and found it had a beautiful African meaning, have pledged to help support rhino conservation at the Zoo. Janine, the young female rhino, was also born on the day that Bob and Janine said “I do.” So the day and the event have very special meaning for them and they have pledged to be a key part of helping to save black rhinos worldwide. Here at the Zoo, Janine’s birth is just the beginning. Our plans for the near future include building a large barn at our International Conservation Center in rural Somerset, where Jomo can spend the winters with room to move and exercise. Our other immediate goal when funding is secured, is to expand our facilities right here at the Zoo, in order to continue our breeding efforts of one of the most endangered species on earth. We are appealing to our donors and friends to help us get these facilities built and really launch the breeding program in a comprehensive way. Our adult female, Azizi, has had one successful birth, and the goal now is to try for a second. As we build, we hope, the black rhino babies will come.
“Our adult female black rhino Azizi, has had one successful birth, the goal now is to try for a second.”
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If you would like to help support this effort or have the resources to sponsor the construction of the entire barn as a naming opportunity, the cost is estimated to be around $250,000. For more information, please contact Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives. Come and meet our black rhinos and learn how you can make a permanent difference in the future of this magnificent species.
Summer Safari, Unmask the Wild Presented by BNY Mellon The wildest night of the summer was a roaring success. More than 1,500 people prowled the Zoo on a gorgeous Friday evening at the end of July enjoying gourmet food, signature beverages, live music, entertainment, and special up-close-and-personal animal experiences. VIP ticket holders snapped pictures with Lucy the armadillo and Majik the boa constrictor, and guests had the chance to meet the Zoo’s new zebra pair, Penny and Spencer (sponsored by the Vein Institute of Pittsburgh). The Zoo would like to thank all sponsors and guests for helping to raise close to $200,000 in support of our animals, wildlife conservation, and educational programs. The 17th annual Summer Safari will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015. It’s never too early to start planning for this major social event in Pittsburgh. Event sponsorships are now available and can be reserved. For more information, please contact the Zoo’s Development department by calling 412-365-2541 or by emailing donate@pittsburghzoo.org.
Guests enjoyed the wild photo booth and animal encounters at Summer Safari 5
2014 Individual Donors (Annual gifts received from May 1, 2014 – August 31, 2014)
The Value of Annual Giving Annual giving is vital to the successful operation of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Membership and ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of all that we offer in sustaining our mission. Annual giving helps to fill this gap. Contributing to the Zoo plays an important role in providing care for our animals, supporting our educational programs, and aiding in our on-site and international conservation efforts. Thank you to the individuals on the following pages for being a part of our donor family.
$50,000 and above
Giant Eagle
PPG Industries
Kerrish Family Trust
PNC Bank
Hawksglen Foundation
PPG Industries Foundation
Marianne Sufrin CLAT
$25,000 to 49,999
Reed Smith LLP
Fidelity Investments Indovina Associates Architects Vein Institute of Pittsburgh Mascaro Construction Company L.P.
$10,000 to 24,999
Association of Zoos and Aquariums and The Walt Disney Company BNY Mellon
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP The Frank E. Rath * Spang & Company Charitable Trust
$5,000 to 9,999
Alco Parking Corporation Allegheny Valley Bank American Fastener
Technologies Corporation ComDoc
Duane Morris LLP 6
Noralco Corporation
The Stirling Group at Janney Karen Tritten
WABTEC Corporation
$2,500 to 4,999 Babst Calland
Bank of America
Annual giving is vital to the successful operation of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
Laura Ellsworth & Bruce Teitelbaum
Ernst & Young LLP
Federated Investors, Inc.
Fragasso Financial Advisors HBK CPAs & Consultants LANXESS Corporation Jackson Lewis P.C. Merrill Lynch myActions
Patricia & John* Payne
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center PittsburghWheelchair Exchange.com Cathy Rinchetti & John Miclot*
Robb Leonard Mulvihill LLP Rebecca C. Snyder/Franco Associates, LP
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Jane Barnes Dotti & John Bechtol
Georgia & Jim Farber
Courtney* & Tim Borntraeger Marilyn & Howard* Bruschi
Byham Charitable Foundation Dori Charlson & David Kaufmann
JoAnn & Gary* Claus Kim Lawrence & James Coster
Mary & David DeFide Duquesne Light
Joanne & William* Fallon
Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
BJ Ferguson & Ken McCarty Fragasso Financial Advisors Karen* & R. Kent Galey
Georgeann & William Hadley Sarah & Michael Hand Janet & William Hunt
University of Pittsburgh
Jack*, Karen, Hillary, & Max Friedman Philanthropic Fund, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
Winchester Thurston
Koppers
The Techs
Toyota Dealer Match Program Well Service Group
$1,000 to 2,499
Dawn & Craig Andersson Mary & Leonard* Bach Diane & Barry Balliet
Mary & R. Drew Kistler
Karen & Thomas* Kublack
A Note to Our Donors Please be aware that we have recently transitioned to a new database in order to better serve our supporters. While we make every attempt to accurately recognize the generous support of our donors, some data inconsistencies may have occurred in our transition. If you notice an error, please contact the Development department by calling 412-365-2541 or by email at donate@pittsburghzoo.org. Thank you for your understanding.
Katherine Lalor
Gail & Thomas Litwiler
Alice & Patrick* Loughney Linda & William Roemer
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Schreiber Industrial Development Company Juliet Simonds
Judith & James* Stalder
Patricia & Michael Sunseri The J. Christopher & Ann C. Donahue Charitable Fund
Becky* & Herbert Torbin
Suzanne & William Warnick Laurie & Gregory* Weingart Barbara & Bruce Wiegand
$500 to 999
Allegheny Region Porsche Club of America Suzanne Barley
Catherine Loevner & Mark Loevner Family Foundation
Kristin & Vaughn Cook
SAVE THE DATE Fashion Show, Trunk Show
&
Sale
A cocktail and shopping event, catering to an exclusive crowd of 250 fashion-forward women and men. For more information about sponsorship, please contact the Development department at 412-365-2540 or donate@pittsburghzoo.org. 8
EQT Corporation
Tracy & John Geyer Ideal Integrations Johnstone Supply
Stephen Kalinowski
Denise Letcher & Joseph McDonough Sherri Macierowski
Nan & David* Newell Paragon Foods
Philip Saar Enterprises, Inc. PNC Foundation
Kim & Ruth Marley
Belinda & Mike Terzich Margaret Watson Susan Weigold & Robert Butella Sally Wiggin*
$100 to 499
Deborah & Frederic Acevedo Christopher Adams
Danielle & William Adreon Mary & Ned Aland
Christine & Matthew Albert Suzanne & Neil Alexander Aloma Shim and Manufacturing
Ellen & Albert Amshel Doris Anderson
Amanda Austin & Mark Riggleman
Jessica Baker & Charles Selby Valerie & Ronald Barnes Michelle Bartlett
Carol & Steve Bateman Daniel Battista Deidre Bauer
Susan & Paul Bell Paul Benedum
Susanna Bjorkman
Colleen Branklkonieczny Leah & Daniel Broudy
Karin & Robert Burchianti Jeanne Burek
Cassandra & Michael
Butterworth
Michael Golde
Edith Klebacha
Carol Caroselli*
Deborah Griffin
Cynthia Kring
Rosalie Carey
Barbara Carpenter & Michael Miller
Kathleen Chester Evans & Stephen Evans
Rosalind Chow & Jeff Galak Louise & Gerry Cipriani
Elizabeth & Ryan Colombo Alicia Connors-Haupt & Paul Connors Diane & Michael Coyne
Sarah & Raymond Damm
Dianne & David Danziger Carolyn Davis
Rocklynn Demarco
Melissa & Bryan Dolney Nan & Robert Dotts Dennis Duda
Lin & Donald Ewing Debra & Eric Frantz Kara Freed
Mary & Eric Friedlander Beth & Frank Fuhrer
Jill Fusaro & Dorothy McClurg Tatiana & Rogerio Galante
Kathleen & Dennis Gasper Edward Gerjuoy
Paula Gesselberty Patricia Marzano Lisa Ginsburg
Naomi Greenblott Marsha & Alan Groover Trudy Grotzinger & Harvey Morris
Theresa & Pierre Haan Sharon & John Hadley
Giselle Hamad & Julio Clavijo
Catherine Head & Ruth Shiers Franki & Fred Heckler Vicki Helgeson & Mark Kochvar
Thelma & Andrew Herlich Janis & Brian Hill
Carolyn & David Hills Phyllis & Mark Hoge Kate Houy
Pamela Huber & Larry Alcorn Christa & Ryan Hughes R. Humphrey
Kimberly & Joseph Incorvati
Shawna & Sherwood Johnson Claudia & Marla Jonas Lisa & Robert Jones
Julius L. & Libbie B. Steinsapir Family Foundation
Kristin & Richard* Kalson
Melissa & Ossama Kashlan Kristi Kauffman
Vicki & J. S. Kelley
Nancy & Cliff Kirschner
Susan Knetzer
Lida & Ron Larsen Leona LaValley
Susan* & Scott Lephart Alice & Martin Lieb Harley Lindberg
Susan & Thomas Lippard Joyce & Steven Lish Terry Lloyd
Marjorie & David Lohr Keisha Lyle
Louise Lytle Kim Macey
Nancy & Jeffrey Martin
Jennifer & Thomas McCrady Margaret McGowan Marilyn McIlvaine
Penny & Paul Mckenna
Lois & Tom McMuldren Catherine Mechling
Lynn & Thomas Merriman Patricia & Charles Miller Miller Mats
MIT Enterprise Forum Pittsburgh Jeff Mitchell Carol Myers
Brett Neuberger
Karen & Andrew Nigra
Norfolk Southern Corporation
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Lee & John Oehrle
Andrea Spade
Kenneth Patterson
Geoffrey Stillson*
Christine Osborne Carmen Perez & Jorge Vazquez Bill Perry
John Phillips
Pittsburgh Music Academy
Give the Gift that K eeps on Giving :
Shirley Placke
A Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Membership
Renee & Fred Quinn
A Zoo Membership is a passport to family fun and adventure. Treat somebody you love to a gift Membership. It includes 12 months of unlimited free admission to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, free parking, discounted admission to 130 other zoos, education and program discounts, exclusive access to events, and much more. Click here for more information.
Lisa Platt & Frank Cartieri Karen & Kears Pollock
Jeanne & Allen Powanda Ruth & Douglas Quint Joey Rakowski
Leslie & Charles Rankin
Dedra & Scott Rantovich
Dee & Forton Remington
Catherine & Donald* Rhoten Duane Richardson
Nancysue & Ronald Riggle Donna Rugh
Karen Saint Sing
Elizabeth Saunders Frances Scaife
Linda Schmidt Janis Schmidt
Brian Wieczorek Michele Seitz
Theresa Serniak Patricia Shaw Paul Skirtich
Sue & Wayne Sloan 10
Sharon & Scott Stemler Eileen & Robert Stovash Carey & Matt Straley Brian Tarr
Sandra & Mark Taylor
Elizabeth & Jason Thomas Gail & Jim Titus
Mary & Raymond Tomasello Paul Turgeon
Linda & Charles Watson
Comly & Edmond Watters Michele & Paul Weisensee Leonard Weitzman Monica Wesner Jo Wilson
Nida & Daniel Wilson
Carolyn & V. T. Worrall
Susan Zeff & Norman May
*Indicates board member
Gentlemen’s Night Out
Put Us in Your Budget Please put the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in your company’s 2015 budget. Corporate sponsors receive extensive recognition, promotion, event tickets, advertising, and more— all while supporting the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s animals, wildlife conservation, education, and animal care. Gentlemen’s Night Out | February 6, 2015 An evening of fine dining, spirits, and cigars, drawing a distinguished group of more than 100 professional gentlemen. Fashion for the Wild | April 2, 2015 Fashion, Trunk Show & Sale: A cocktail and shopping event, catering to an exclusive crowd of 250 fashion forward women and men. Summer Safari | July 31, 2015 One of Pittsburgh’s most popular social events, attracting more than 1,500 of the region’s young and emerging professionals. For more information about sponsorship, please contact the Development department by calling 412-365-2540 or by emailing donate@pittsburghzoo.org.
Upcoming Events Eat’n Park ZooBoo Oct. 18-19 & 25-26, 2014 11am-4pm Sponsored by Eat’n Park Eleven Contemporary Kitchen Benefit Dinner Nov. 11, 2014 6pm Gentleman’s Night Out Feb. 6, 2015 Presented by Mascaro Construction Company, L.P. Fashion for the Wild Trunk Show & Cocktail Reception April 2, 2015 Presented by BNY Mellon Summer Safari July 31, 2015 Presented by BNY Mellon *Event dates are subject to change
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The Wildlife Extinction Crisis donate to the
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium By supporting the Zoo, you help save wildlife and wild places. Gifts help us fulfill our mission to be a leader in zoological conservation, education, and research, while providing the region with exceptional exhibitry and unique family-centered recreation. To make your gift in support of the Zoo, please contact the Development Department by calling 412-365-2541.
You hear about this often, many species are going extinct; we are losing species by the thousands. But what does this really mean? According to scientists today, we are now experiencing the highest rate of species die-offs or extinctions, since the loss of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the leading threats driving numerous species to the brink of extinction. Habitat loss and related effects are pushing people into closer and closer proximity with wildlife and many people throughout the world, rely on habitat for their livelihoods. So when villagers, ranchers, farmers and many other people-groups, come up against wildlife fighting for the same resources, conflict is a certain outcome. In many parts of the world, where livestock herding is a centuries-old livelihood and lifestyle, the herders will use lethal measures to protect their domestic herds— from traps to poison to guns, they will use whatever means they can to protect their source of income. Wildlife on the other hand, whose habitats and sources of food and shelter are also rapidly disappearing, will raid farm crops, attack domestic livestock and it sets up a vicious cycle. The end result is an extensive loss of wildlife. This on-going struggle had baffled the conservation community for years and those close to it knew that a novel approach had to
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be devised. At least one idea, which so far seems to be working, is the Livestock Guardian Dog Program. Livestock guardian dogs are raised and bonded within village herds to provide protection against predators, primarily through their presence alone. The program has shown that the dogs not only safeguard the livestock but also protect the carnivores by reducing the use of typical deadly measures utilized by the herdsmen. Our own Pittsburgh Zoo has sponsored 2 dogs so far, Poppie and Catriena, for this novel program. Both dogs have been doing an exceptional job to the point that they have been moved to areas where herds not directly involved with the program have been attacked. After the dogs’ arrival, the number of livestock lost, dropped. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has also provided funding for the Livestock Guardian Dog Program being conducted by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia. Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF Founder and Director, recently spoke at the Zoo and focused her talk on the great success of the Guarding Dog Program. The Zoo was honored to present Dr. Marker with a $3,000 check from the PPG Conservation and Sustainability Fund to help support the Guard Dog Project for a second year. In both South Africa and Namibia, the program is being hailed as a success, resulting in an 80-100% reduction in predator-related loss of livestock and continued movement to cease lethal measures against predatory carnivores in the villages participating in the LGD program. What we are seeing around the world, in greater and greater application, is domestic dogs being successfully used in a wide range of wildlife related programs. Not only in Africa with livestock but here at home in the western United States, several domestic dog breeds are helping to keep bears and a variety of other predators away from ranches and farms. Man’s best friend is quickly proving to be wildlife’s best friend too.
“Man’s best friend is quickly proving to be wildlife’s best friend too.” 13
wish
LIST
Pitt sbur gh Zoo & PPG Aqu ariu m & Inte rnat iona l Con servatio n Cen ter
Give a bear for a birthday, a tiger to your team, or a howler monkey for the holidays. Adopting an animal is a great gift for any occasion. When you adopt, your gift helps provide for the care, feeding, and enrichment of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium animals. All resident animals are available for adoption with packages ranging from $30 to $500 per year, depending on the benefits you choose. Visit our website at pittsburghzoo.org for special adoption packages. Please call 412-365-2503 to learn more about this rewarding gift idea.
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There is always a need for help to support the care, feeding, training and management of our animals here at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and at our International Conservation Center in Somerset County. If you would like to help with any of the following wish list items, any level of support is worthwhile and very much appreciated. By supporting these needs, you really can make a difference in the lives of our animals. Cheetahs New Cheetah Building: $200,000 Cheetah Breeding Area at the ICC: $50,000-$80,000
Black Rhinos New Zoo Breeding Barn for the growing family: $250,000 Rhino Stall at the ICC Cow/Calf Barn now under construction: $25,000 Giraffes Giraffe Barn $300,000 New asphalt for the giraffe runway: $3,500 Elephants 5 All-Terrain Vehicles at the ICC & Elephant Exhibit: $50,000 We would be happy with one to start, especially for use within the Zoo. The cost is about $10,000 and would help the elephant care team with moving hay, manure and many other uses.
Aquarium & Marine Life Three-year coral conservation initiative: $16,500 Discovery Pavilion New Filtration System in the big tunnel tank at the Discovery Pavilion: $3,000 Animal Care Center Jolly Balls & Plastic Enrichment Balls for Quarantine Animals: $300 Little Tykes Plastic Playground for young animals in quarantine: $400 Gym mats for animal recovery post—anesthesia: $1,000 Thermography: $10,000 Special caging for holding room, used for quarantined/ hospitalized animals: $10,000-$15,000 Flexible Endoscopy: $90,000 Animal Nutrition Browse Freezer: $3,000 Many of our animals require browse as part of their diet. Browse is plant material fed to the animals as part of their diet or as a supplement. One of the challenges we face in winter is how to supply fresh browse to the animals that
need it. A browse freezer would solve that problem. Lions & Leopards Lion Chute: $9,000 A lion chute is used for transferring the animals from their indoor holding area to their outside enclosure, something that is done on a daily basis. Because of the delicate nature of this transport, both for the handler and the animal, a lion chute would increase both the safety and the ease of transfer while reducing stress on both human and animal. Staff Development Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program: $10,000
For more information about these special projects and needs, please contact Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives by calling 412-365-2540 or email donate@pittsburghzoo.org. Thank you!
United Way Please consider the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s Head Start education programs, number #223611, for your United Way Contribution. Your gift supports Zoo educational programs that provide low-income, at-risk children with unique hands-on science education. The children enjoy Zoo visits and animal encounters that teach life sciences, raise conservation awareness, and enhance school readiness. Thank you for your support.
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“When Coolio arrived at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, he was wary of humans”
Coolio Makes a Comeback
Paul Moylett, A ssistant Curator, PPG Aquarium Janet Rose , Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives
In our last Zoo Connections, you were introduced to our newest resident, Coolio, a northern elephant seal that was rescued off the coast of California. When a call went out for a facility that could provide a home and continue his rehabilitation, training and care, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, took on the challenge. Among other things, he was believed to be blind. As with all animals, one of our goals is to establish positive communications by providing a strong sense of both reinforcement as well as desensitization to situations the animal will encounter in our program. If these components in our behavioral management plan are done correctly, the end result will be a well-balanced 16
animal that will thrive and adapt to life in human care. When Coolio arrived at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, he was wary of humans and naturally, of his new surroundings. He had spent the first year of his life in the wild and his eyesight at best, was compromised. The first priority was to build trust with this animal and one of the key ways to accomplish this is with food. One of the ways animal staff dealt with the situation, was to stand in the pool with Coolio. At one point, this meant standing in four feet of water with a 500 pound juvenile elephant seal nearby. Coolio remained “cool,” calm, and he seemed to respond well to this approach by the animal team. Each
time, the keepers would say out loud, “Coolio, are you hungry,” and they would tap the surface of the water with herring. Over time, and with a great deal of patience, Coolio began to respond to the pairing of visual and verbal cues and became increasingly consistent in his positive response. Gradually, using these cues, the animal care team could stay on dry land and Coolio would respond favorably. It is a given that physical and mental stimulation is necessary for the well-being of any animal. The Water’s Edge team at the PPG Aquarium is able to provide this through their enrichment and training program, but due to Coolio’s initially nervous nature, the team had to start small and slow. Gradually, they would offer him small floating Environmental Enrichment Devices or EEDs. The goal was to encourage Coolio to be curious and to interact and explore these devices without being overwhelmed with stimulation— a delicate balance. As the seal’s courage grew so too did the style and size of his toys. Animal staff would incorporate food and ice with the toys and the idea was to try to keep Coolio stimulated throughout the day. For the animal team, teaching and training Coolio helped them to build a relationship with this animal and vice versa. By teaching behaviors and rewarding him, a strong bond is developing between the elephant seal and his caretakers. This bond and ensuing trust will only further enhance Coolio’s care and quality of life, making it possible then, for the veterinary staff to provide check-ups, monitoring and specialized care as needed. Today, we are slowly working on expanding Coolio’s diet and overall nutrition by offering him different species of fish and squid. He seems to especially enjoy capelin, which is considerably smaller with fewer calories and fat than herring. Coolio is not particularly fond of the squid tentacles touching his face (no wonder) so it has proven to be not the easiest food to feed even though squid is a very important part of his diet. Coolio also enjoys small to medium ice blocks with food that is frozen inside, continues on page 19
“Animal staff would incorporate food and ice with the toys and the idea was to try to keep Coolio stimulated throughout the day” 17
Donor Spotlight BNY Mellon For BNY Mellon, community impact is more than a corporate philosophy – it’s a way of life. From sponsoring events to naming animals, BNY Mellon has a storied history of supporting the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Today, a new chapter is emerging as the company’s support takes on fresh meaning at the Zoo.
“Chances are that you’ve seen BNY Mellon employees laying mulch, cleaning Aquarium windows, or raking leaves around the Zoo.” 18
With the creation of their Community Partnership program in 2008, BNY Mellon gave their employees the opportunity to leverage company support when they donate and volunteer for their favorite charities. Donna Hudson, BNY Mellon’s Managing Director and Pittsburgh Regional Manager, says, “We want our employees to make a difference, and we empower them to do that.” Receiving paid days off for volunteering and a company match for each hour dedicated, BNY Mellon employees have answered the call and generously given their time. Chances are that you’ve seen BNY Mellon employees laying mulch, cleaning Aquarium windows, or raking leaves around the Zoo.
This year, BNY Mellon volunteers are working on something special. When the Zoo sent out word seeking support for the historic rescue and rehabilitation effort of a northern elephant seal named Coolio, BNY Mellon saw an opportunity to play a role. They set an ambitious goal of raising $10,000 (an additional $10,000 was given by the Vein Institute of Pittsburgh) through 1,000 hours of volunteer work - that’s more than six months of work days spent at the Zoo. Hudson says, “Our teams all agreed to have their matching gifts put toward Coolio efforts. It’s been amazing to see how everyone has come together.” And come together they have. Not only will BNY Mellon meet their goal, but they are set to far exceed it. Through the efforts of more than 300 BNY Mellon employees, Coolio is enjoying his new home at the Zoo and is receiving world-class care from expert physicians. Kathy Charochak, Manager of BNY Mellon’s Community Relations & Employee Programs, explains “An employee-led effort is extraordinarily powerful. It’s a way for employers to provide meaningful team and network building experiences for their employees, while also supporting all of the great causes that make our city so special.” We thank BNY Mellon and its employees for their generosity. If your company is interested in learning more about corporate volunteerism at the Zoo, please contact the Development department by calling 412-365-2541 or by emailing donate@ pittsburghzoo.org.
Continued from page 17 which is excellent for him because it provides hydration and nutrition. Unfortunately, if the ice pops or cracks loudly, it frightens Coolio and he will avoid them until the noise ceases. But all of this is just part of Coolio’s living, learning and adjusting to his new life at the PPG Aquarium. Standing by helping him, guiding him, and supporting him, is the superb animal staff. Coolio is thriving, improving daily, and has become a permanent resident of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Although he is not yet on exhibit, he is proving to be a healthy, growing northern elephant seal. It is a happy story that continues to unfold. 19
One Wild Place 路 Pittsburgh, PA 15206 路 412-665-3640 Zoo Connections is a newsletter for the valued supporters of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
pittsburghzoo.org