2008 Annual Report - Denver Zoo

Freiheit and lots of good faith.” Steve sees the zoo as much more than a businessrelationship. “It is like family, and I feel the relationship has been beneficial toeveryone.” In asking Steve what has been his most memorable moment — hequickly says, “It’s always Do at the Zoo!”Comfort Dental and Mountain States Toyota“Denver Zoo guests are exactly the people we want to reach!” This is a commonrefrain from two of Denver Zoo’s sponsors, Comfort Dental and Mountain StatesToyota. While the products they offer to consumers couldn’t be more different, thegoals of each are the same: a passion for the community in which they operate, acommitment to conservation, and support for Denver Zoo’s Red Apple ScholarshipFund for Lifelong Learning.In addition to supporting the Red Apple Scholarship Fund, Comfort Dental begansponsoring the zoo’s Wildlife Show in 2005. In 2007, it extended its support toinclude the sea lion demonstration and this year added the zoo’s popular SummerSafari day camp.Mountain States Toyota began its sponsorship with Denver Zoo in 2007 bybecoming the presenting sponsor of ZOOmily and Brew At The Zoo — bothevents support the Red Apple Scholarship Fund. This relationship has expandedand now includes support for Denver Zoo’s Conservation Night and numerousother Denver Zoo initiatives.Sponsorship dollars are critical to Denver Zoo. Through these and other partnershipswith Denver Zoo’s many sponsors, the zoo continues to thrive and to provideexceptional wildlife conservation and education programs to the community.individuals always make a differenceBetty Robertson has been supporting Denver Zoo for decades, and when askedwhy she chooses to support the zoo, her answer always is, “The animals — I lovethem all!” Growing up in Illinois, Betty’s grandparents owned a farm with manyanimals, but it was the chance to ride a llama at the St. Louis Zoo when she wasabout 11 that got her permanently hooked. She and her late husband owned a ranchnear Conifer, where at one time they had as many as 46 llamas. Interestingly, theyacquired their first llama in 1974 from Denver Zoo on Halloween day!A long-time school teacher in Jefferson County, where she taught 5th grade for 25years, Betty is one of Denver Zoo’s most generous and enthusiastic donors. Herfavorite zoo animals are the snow leopards, and she has “adopted” many animals atthe zoo, including the striking giraffe sculpture at the zoo entrance. Her gifts includea major contribution to Asian Tropics as well as regular support for the zoo’s manyeducational programs. We thank Betty for her love of animals and the positive impactshe’s had on the important wildlife conservation work at Denver Zoo!did you know?The 2008 Do at the Zoo, chairedby former Colorado First Lady,Frances Owens, welcomed 2,314participants and raised morethan $425,000 for Asian Tropics.45