A departed resident’s generosity and love for a staple in the Emporia community was continued during a special check presentation at the David Traylor Zoo Wednesday afternoon.
Family members of Joyce Smith, who passed back in April of this year, met with Zoo Director Lisa Keith and Emporia Friends of the Zoo President Bobby Thompson to present a memorial contribution of $11,000 to EFOZ in Smith’s memory. Smith’s granddaughter Darby Cochran-Wilson says her grandmother was an animal lover who had a special place in her heart for the zoo and it meant a great deal to the family to honor that love with Wednesday’s donation.
In recognition of the contribution, Smith is one of several individuals whose name has been placed on a memorial wall inside the zoo’s new entrance paying tribute to all of the individuals who have made similar posthumous contributions. Cochran-Wilson says seeing her grandmother’s name on the wall “meant the world to her.”
Thompson says they are so grateful to all of their donors who choose to contribute to the zoo, however, donations of this nature truly illustrate how significant the zoo’s standing is within the local community.
Thompson says the contribution will be placed into the general fund for the Oasis Capital Campaign to assist with ongoing renovations at the zoo. Residents who would like to make a memorial contribution in honor of a loved one can visit the zoo office or contact the zoo by calling 620-341-4365.
Keith also told local media, not only can residents make memorial contributions in honor of a lost loved one, but the zoo and EFOZ also accept memorial contributions in honor of departed pets.
