Community Corner

Secret Santa Gives Oakland Zoo $1 Million

Anonymous donation comes two months after voters narrowly rejected a parcel tax.

 

Bay City News

Christmas came early for the Oakland Zoo this year in the form of an anonymous $1 million check.

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Zoo officials announced this week that an anonymous donor said the money could be used for the zoo's general purposes.

"Every now and then, something truly extraordinary occurs at the Oakland Zoo that causes me to just shake my head in disbelief and be thankful," said Zoo President and CEO Joel Parrott. "This has never occurred on this scale before. It is simply a gift."

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The donation comes nearly two months after a parcel tax to help cover animal care, facility maintenance and other costs narrowly missed getting the two-thirds margin it needed to pass.

"This contribution will have a huge impact on our ability to plan for the New Year," said Emma Lee Twitchell, the zoo's director of development.

Anyone interested in making their own contribution to the zoo may do so by contacting Parrott at (510) 632-9525 ext. 172 or Twitchell at ext. 153.


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