Donor Spotlight - Norma Jones

By Cynthia Buckner, Database and Gift Processing Specialist

What do you give the person who has everything they need? What about a gift, in their honor, to their favorite non-profit organization?

Norma Jones’ family had been giving her treasures for many years until her home was full and she said no more. She asked that her family start giving to The Living Desert instead — a place they shared as her children grew and now her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren enjoy.

Jones Family

Norma contacted The Living Desert to let us know that some gifts might be coming in. And come in they did! What the family normally would have spent in one full year on Christmas and Norma’s birthday, the family instead contributed $12,750 to the Norma Jones Tribute Fund at The Living Desert.

With the money raised, the family was able to create a design of 21 tiles on a bench next to the Endangered Species Carousel. In December 2022, 23 family members gathered to see the results and celebrate Norma.

Norma Jones and Wallace Family

The Living Desert also celebrates the philanthropist that Norma is. Norma gives in so many ways:

She has been a member of The Living Desert since February of 1989! She is currently at the Curator’s Circle level of our Guardian Society.

She is a member of our Champions of Conservation monthly giving program. This constant support helps us budget for the resources needed to feed our animals, provide educational opportunities, and support worldwide conservation efforts.

Norma gives to our Adoption program. The younger great-grandchildren love the plush animals. The older ones get joy from seeing their names posted on billboards at our Bighorn Railway.

Maybe you now have an idea for that next gift for that special someone who doesn’t need a thing! Our website, LivingDesert.org, directs you to all these ways to give and more.

Donations to The Living Desert enable us to continue providing the highest level of care to our animals, educating the next generation about the world’s deserts, and inspiring our guests to care for the world’s wildlife and wild places.

Norma Jones and Honer Family

Visit our website or call for more information: LivingDesert.org | 760-346-5694. | Tributes and Memorials: Cynthia Buckner. ext 2166 | Animal and Train Adoptions: Lin Conrad, ext 2164 | Guardian Society membership and Champions of Conservation: Lexi Ward, ext 2169