Zoo staff needs focused fundraising
Letters to the Editor

This past weekend I volunteered to help with a pancake breakfast to benefit the NW Florida Zoo held at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Destin ($5/person).

We only raised $400 and $150 of that was from one donor who didn't even stay to eat pancakes. So, if she had not stopped by, we would have only raised $250.

Longhorn Steakhouse donated their facility and part of their staff for this event, but I do not think it was their responsibility to promote it.

There did not appear to be any support, in an nature whatsoever, for the event from the Zoo administration/staff. No publicity was given to it other than the e-mails and calls that another volunteer and I made. I also put around 20 small signs around high pedestrian traffic areas in Destin and dropped off a flyer to the Destin Chamber of Commerce. Based on feedback that I received at the event, I believe that the majority of the patrons came as a result of those signs. So, without them, we would have raised even less.

Since the zoo needs so much money to survive, I think they are looking for bigger dollars. However, I also think that the event could have been a way to reach those dollars above the $5/person cost. It makes me wonder if the zoo staff has given up or if they lack focus.

Ruth Ann Mahoney

Fort Walton Beach