Los Fresnos Students Help Support Gladys Porter Zoo

Students gather funds to become Pewter Sponsors and Support the Adopt an Animal Program

“A huge ROAR of appreciation goes out to students and employees of Laureles Elementary at the Los Fresnos Independent School District, who gave generously in support of the Gladys Porter Zoo,” said Mary Carey, Zoofari Co-Chair at the Gladys Porter Zoo.

Zoofari is the largest fundraising event held by Gladys Porter Zoo and is set to take place October 4th & 5th, 2013. Funds raised from this year’s Zoofari will be used to renovate the Patty Gorges Small World, otherwise known as the children’s petting zoo.

Susan Goldberg, acquisitions chair for Zoofari challenged the students of Laureles Elementary to become Pewter Sponsors by raising $250.00.  The students surpassed their goal raising another $150.00 to purchase a hand-painted ceramic tile that will adorn and support the South Texas Discovery Center, the Zoo’s new education building at the Zoo.  Titled with Laureles Elementary, the tile will be on permanent display recognizing the students’ contribution.

Illustrated with native plants and animals, the naming tiles are available and for sale by the Gladys Porter Zoo.  They can be purchased singularly or in combination as murals.  Laureles Elementary students then decided to lend an extra helping hand by sponsoring an animal through the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program. This was done by making a donation to assist in feeding a giraffe.

The giraffe was the animal chosen by Mrs. Rosa Garcia’s 5th grade class.  Mrs. Garcia assisted in spearheading Laureles’ fundraising project which was approved by principal, Mrs. Celia Ontiveros.
In total, Laureles Elementary donations totaled over $476.00.  On May 29th, the Gladys Porter Zoo’s Zoofari volunteers were on hand to meet the generous students of Laureles Elementary.  The Zoo’s education department along with a few animal ambassadors were also on site to visit students.

“Laureles Elementary School’s positive educational atmosphere was evident,” said Trudy Garza, Zoofari Co-Chair. “Students demonstrated their love of learning about animals through a gift of their student work. The endeavors of Laureles Elementary, uphold the Zoo’s mission to the preservation of nature through education, conservation, and research,” she went on to say.

Anyone interested in participating in the upcoming Zoofari or sponsoring a tile may contact Mary Carey (956) 572-0570 or Trudy Garza (956) 459-4872.