Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary

What is the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary?

Auxiliary Mission and Vision

 

THE MISSION AND THE VISION

The mission of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary is to raise funds for the Arizona Zoological Society; assist in promoting education and conservation; and provide service as needed.

The vision of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary is to be a recognized, respected, cohesive organization that continues to accomplish its mission in a fulfilling and enjoyable manner.

What does it mean to be a part of Auxiliary?
Being a part of The Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary means taking pride and showing active support for the Zoo. By actively deepening your support, you are giving the Zoo its opportunity to continue to touch more lives through animal experiences, while strengthening its future success.

Auxiliary Member Requirements – What we ask of you…

Ø       Be at least 21 years of age
Ø       Maintain current Zoo membership
Ø       Complete an Auxiliary application
Ø       Pay annual Auxiliary membership dues and financial obligation
Ø       Participate in all course requirements as designated by the Membership Committee
Ø       Attend a minimum of four general membership meetings per calendar year, which are held on the first Tuesday of each month – October through May
Ø       Work on Auxiliary fund-raisers during the year

Auxiliary Activities

Ø       Guide Pappas School tours of the Zoo
Ø       Star Light Star Bright Children’s Foundation Program for seriously ill children and their families
Ø       Financially support “Head Start to Caregiving Program” at the Zoo
Ø       Support such fund-raisers as Zoo Brew and ZooFari
Ø       Raise funds through the ink jet and laser cartridge recycling program and Charity Charms
Ø       Group trips and tours
Ø       Seasonal and social activities

Auxiliary HISTORY

     Quietly, an especially significant beginning took place in the September 1961 -- the Arizona Zoological Society Ladies’ Auxiliary (“Auxiliary”). Founded by Nancy Maytag (wife of Zoo Founder Robert Maytag), Mrs. James Allen, Mrs. Tim Rodgers, and Actress Ann Lee Harris, its initial and modest purpose was “to help out wherever” they could and to do “a little” fund-raising.

     In the last weeks before Christmas 1961, the Auxiliary’s nucleus of 20 women put together some simple greeting cards and “did a yeoman’s job of selling them.” When the receipts were counted, they had raised $500.

     The Auxiliary began exhibiting animals, such as a baby elephant and a woolly monkey, at shopping centers, schools, bazaars, festivals, and grand openings. While exhibiting animals, the Auxiliary ladies distributed ARIZOO and brochures, and began accepting Zoo memberships.

Achievement Highlights …

·       1962 – Auxiliary President Ann Lee Harris persuaded Paramount Pictures to hold World Premier of Howard Hawks movie, “Hatari,” starring John Wayne, in Scottsdale as a benefit for Zoo

·       1963 – Sponsored the first Aid-to-Zoo National Horse Show raising funds for Children's Zoo Contact Area, landscaping, and purchase of Zoo animals

·       1963 – Instrumental in securing funds to save Zoo from closure, during critical financial period
·       1965 – Focused on grounds improvement with Arizona Zoological Society President Earl Bimson, Zoo Director Jack Tinker, and Board; funded Giraffe / Zebra Exhibits

·       1966 – Purchased picnic tables and paved much-needed roads and walkways
·       1967 – Remodeled the Animal Nursery
·       1968/’69 – Built the Animal Care (ACC) and Gorilla Exhibit
·       1970 – Expanded Alligator Exhibit; bought male gorilla and giraffe; funded long-range planning study determining Zoo’s growth direction for next 10 years

·       1971/’72 – Funded extensive remodeling of the Lion / Tiger Exhibits
·       1973 – Assumed complete responsibility for education programs
·       1976 – Donated Coati Exhibit on the Arizona Trail
·       1979 – Built new Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit with Arizona school children, Dayton-Hudson Foundation, and American Express; constructed Bobcat Exhibit as memorial to Scott L. Libby, Jr. with Donald Ware Waddell Foundation underwriting

·       1980 – Completed Elephant Exhibit, after four years of fund-raising, research, design, and construction
·       1981 – Dedicated Nocturnal Exhibit for southwest desert, nighttime-active animals
·       1982 – Added cheetah to Zoo; began planning African Savannah
·       1983/’84 – Completed the African Savannah
·       1985 – Funding to the Children’s Zoo (Harmony Farms) and African Savannah
·       1986 – Funded the 10-Year Zoo Master Plan
·       1987 – Funded the Arizona Exhibit Graphics on the Arizona Trail
·       1988/’89/’90 – Funded further improvements on the Arizona Exhibit
·       1991 – Financial support for Arizona Trail Reptile Exhibit
·       1992/’93 – Funded improvements/additions to the Arizona Trail Exhibits
·       1994 – Contributed funds for Arizona Trail lighting
·       1995/’97 – Funds for miscellaneous items for the Zoo
·       1998 – Purchased leopard frog; funds for the elephant facility, Children’s Trail and Ruby’s House
·       1999 – Provided funds for Harmony Farms and Ruby’s House
·       2000/’01 – Financial support for ACC improvements
·       2002 – Funded the 40 year Zoo History by Dick George
·       2005 – Funds for the transport of lions and the Elephant Exhibit; pledged funds to the Zoo’s Capital Campaign for Sanctuary

·       2007 – Provided financial support for Zoo behavioral enrichment (BE) projects; funding to ZooReach; donated two new carts to ACC

·       2008 – Re-designated pledged funds toward the Bornean Orangutan project, after Sanctuary became fully-funded

The Auxiliary continues to find new funding sources to assist The Phoenix Zoo wherever possible