March 9, 2011

DENVER ZOO ACCEPTS KIDS' DONATIONS TO ASIAN TROPICS
Zoo Launches Kids Campaign with Young Americans Bank

A long-time tradition is revived at Denver Zoo with children raising funds and awareness to support building a new home for the zoo's elephants, a new exhibit called Asian Tropics. On Thursday, March 10, Montview Community Preschool children will donate coins they've saved over several months to help provide two special Park Hill neighbors, Asian elephants Mimi and Dolly, with a new place to live. The preschoolers will donate the first coins in the Asian Tropics Kids Campaign, to Craig Piper, President/CEO of Denver Zoo. The zoo also will announce the official bank of the Kids Campaign, Young Americans Bank. A special presentation and photo opportunity is planned for local media March 10 at the beginning of the zoo's regularly scheduled elephant demonstration at 11:30 a.m.

Denver Zoo is recruiting young fundraisers to join its Kids Campaign to help support Asian Tropics, the zoo's new $50 million exhibit scheduled to open in 2012. The campaign will kickoff at the zoo's Thai National Elephant Day celebration on Sunday, March 13.

Any child wishing to participate will receive an "ele" bank -- adorned with photos of Denver Zoo's resident elephants, Mimi and Dolly. Children can use the banks to help raise money for Asian Tropics, the zoo's new home for Asian elephants, Indian rhinos, Malayan tapirs and many other Asian animals. Asian Tropics is currently under construction and schedule to open in 2012.

Young Americans Bank is partnering with Denver Zoo as the official bank of the Kids Campaign. Besides Denver Zoo, "ele" banks can be picked up and dropped off at Young Americans at 3550 East 1st Avenue. Special incentives are being offered to children who return their full "ele" banks to Young Americans Bank and the zoo.

The tradition of children raising money for Denver Zoo began in 1950 when the public helped bring Cookie, the zoo's first elephant, to Denver. Groups and individual children that raise the most money for Asian Tropics will have the opportunity to win exclusive prizes. When children bring back their full bank to Denver Zoo, they will receive a commemorative poster of Mimi and Dolly (while supplies last).

Kids can pick up their banks at the National Elephant Day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 or at the Guest Services desk after March 13, as long as supplies last. They also can visit www.denverzoo.org/kidscampaign to learn how to build their bank at home. National Elephant Day is based on a Thai festival to honor the national animal of Thailand. Several activities are planned throughout the day on March 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including an 11:30 a.m. traditional buffet for the zoo's resident elephants, Mimi and Dolly.

Denver Zoo is asking kids return banks on or before Sept. 1, so prizes can be awarded at a celebration to coincide with Elephant Appreciation Day later that month.

For fun ideas to raise money, updates or more information, children or their parents may call the campaign office at 303-376-4939 or visit www.denverzoo.org/kidscampaign.