It is no secret that I love zoos and aquariums. I know that a lot of people have issues with them, but I feel that the benefits of these places greatly outweigh the downsides. Plus I love the opportunity to see my favorite pink birds hanging out. That is why when I found out that the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens needed help I knew that I needed to share that with everyone.
After 100 years in business, 45 of those years in its current location, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has helped make happy memories for many visitors as well as its community. That’s a lot of giving, and now visitors and the community have the opportunity to give something back.
The zoo reopened on May 11 (with limited capacity) after being shuttered for nearly eight weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the memories are as magical as ever, the funding needs a big boost. As a non-profit organization, ticket sales, events, memberships, and donations keep the zoo’s doors open, and each of those streams of revenue dried up during the closure.
Animals need feeding and care, guests need the security of extra cleaning, and staff need paying during a time when the zoo is operating with less than 50% of its normal capacity.
Central Florida Zoo’s goal is to raise $500,000 by the end of August (that’s how much operations costs per month), with the ultimate goal of raising $1million by the end of the year.
A donation to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens Relief Fund will provide them with the critical funding they need right now. The Zoo remains committed to providing exceptional animal care, engaging programming, high-quality customer service, and experiences that excite and inspire adults and children to learn and act on behalf of wildlife. But it is only with your help and investment that they can remain an institution in Central Florida.
If YOU can be a part of the solution, please consider making a donation at https://www.centralfloridazoo.org/you/
