Students, socialites rally 'round The Zoo
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Traci L. Pitre/Special to Gulf Breeze News Joe Snider enjoys the train ride at the Zoo during the recent Rotary Family Day celebration while his father Paul watches ahead for the wildebeest.

Santa Rosa County students are pitching in to "change" the future of The Zoo of Northwest Florida - by donating loose change to help raise funds!

"Our community is so excited about this effort that there was already a bucket of change waiting at the front office this morning when I arrived to set out the collection bottles," says school coordinator, Kim Aldridge, Gulf Breeze Elementary School teacher. "Thousands of students visit The Zoo each year and we need to show our support. It makes 'cents' that together we can make a difference to save our wonderful zoo. We can help them one coin at a time!"

Schools set up water bottles with animal themes and the children get to choose who will get their coin - the lioness the gorilla or the snake? Not only do the kids get to donate coins, but they get to place their coins as a vote for their favorite animal. The animal that receives the most donations at each school will become that school's unofficial mascot, and the school that raises the most money will be afforded a free trip to the zoo. Schools throughout Santa Rosa, Escambia, Okaloosa and Baldwin counties have been invited to join the fundraising event. For more information on how your school can help, contact Vici Papajohn at Gulf Breeze News.

Feast with the Beasts

Moms and dads have an exciting opportunity to support the zoo on Friday, September 28, from 7 p.m. until midnight for a Feast with the Beasts - an evening of exotic culinary fare from the Pensacola Bay Area's hottest restaurants that will benefit the Zoo of Northwest Florida.

The Zoo's naturally wild pathways will be lined with local restaurateurs as guests stroll through The Zoo sampling cuisines from around the world. Take a ride on the Safari Line Ltd Train thru the 30 acres wildlife preserve. Dance under the stars, with live entertainment from the Reunion Band, and party like an animal with your friends. Don't forget to pose for a picture with an exotic "Beast" and have a wonderful evening while you are showing your support and providing funds for the zoo.

Patti Hutto and Ann Moulton are chairs for the event. The duo is very excited about the amazing evening planned and hopes the community will step up to support the zoo and have a delightful evening at the same time.

Participating restaurants include: Skopelos, The Angus, Peg Legs, Side Lines, Zaxby's, Seville Quarter, Billy Bob's Beach Barbecue, The Fish House, Jimmy's Seafood, Moe's South West Grill - Gulf Breeze,

CC's Wines, East River Smoke House, The Melting Pot, Chick-fil-a,

Bagelheads-Downtown, Big Sexy Food, Inc, Appetite for Life, Madison's,

Ed Smith Catering, Mesquite Charlie's, Buffalo's on the Bay, and several more delicious venues.

For reservations to

attend one of the

wildest nights you

have ever had, log on

to www.thezoonorthwestflorida.

org or call

850-932-2229.