Kids Campaign
We can all be philanthropists!
Philanthropy – that is a pretty big word! What is Philanthropy? It is doing an action or deed that benefits the public good making a strong happy community.
Who is a philanthropist? YOU ARE!!
By giving your time to the community by volunteering
through a local organization, using your talents to help others, and by saving money to donate to an organization that you feel close to, you too can be a philanthropist.
Here is an example of how kids - just like you - gave back to the Denver community by participating in a campaign to support their Denver Zoo.
More than 60 years ago, the kids of Denver contributed pennies to bring Denver Zoo’s first elephant, Cookie, to our community.
Join Young Philanthropist's Cause and Help Her Favorite Animals, Elephants
If her first contribution to Denver Zoo’s Kids Campaign for Toyota Elephant Passage is any indication, Gretchen Bechtolt has a future as a fundraiser.
Just 7 years old, Gretchen, and her mother, Connie, recently raised $1,000 in coins she had collected from friends and family to donate to Denver Zoo’s Kids Campaign. Since Gretchen raised $1,000, she will have her name on the Toyota Elephant Passage donor wall. Gretchen raised the funds through lemonade stands and walking dogs at her Aurora home.
The fundraising idea started when Connie wanted to have a party for Gretchen’s birthday last year. Instead of presents, she suggested friends and family donate to a charity. Several charities were discussed, but Gretchen wanted the money to help build a new home for Mimi and Dolly after a recent family visit to Denver Zoo soon after the Kids Campaign kicked off in March 2011.
“I like the elephants, Mimi and Dolly,” says Gretchen, who loves attending Zoo Lights and ZOOmily with her family. “I like their names and wanted to help them.”
Her mother obviously is proud of Gretchen and her philanthropic efforts.
“Once I proposed the idea, she kind of ran with it,” Connie says. “She was at the zoo during spring break and she saw the (Kids Campaign) banks. I’m just grateful that she found a cause that she really loves.”
Gretchen, who is a second grader at Greenwood Elementary School, apparently is spreading her love of Denver Zoo, Mimi and Dolly and the Kids Campaign to her friends. Many of her friends joined her last efforts to celebrate her contribution with a visit to see Mimi and Dolly.
By sharing Gretchen’s story, we hope other children will become inspired to young philanthropists as well.
See below for the top contributors to the Kids Campaign.
“Ele” Friend 2011 Winners
Look below for the winners of the Kids Campaign to support Toyota Elephant Passage, Denver Zoo's new 10-acre conservation center and exhibit for Asian animals. Kids turned in their "ele" banks at Young Americans Bank or Denver Zoo on or before September 1, 2011. The Kids Campaign kicked off on in March 2011 and young fundraisers throughout Colorado have been selling lemonade, accepting money instead of birthday gifts and using their ingenuity to raise funds for Toyota Elephant Passage, our new home for elephants, tapirs and greater one-horned rhinos. The young fundraisers won great zoo prizes and a chance to be recognized in Denver Zoo's e-bulletins and Facebook and Twitter pages during the past six months!
The top eight fundraisers in their age group are listed below. Thanks to all our young donors who helped raised money to make a new home for our Asian elephants, Mimi and Dolly.
Winners as of 9/6/11
Ages 5 and under
| 1st Place (1 Winner) Free Birthday Party- Including Live Animal Encounters! Invitation to Toyota Elephant Passage Grand Opening |
1. Marly L.- Age 4 Parker |
2nd Place (2 Winners) |
2. Maryn P.- Age 3 Westminster 3. Ryder O.- Age 3 Denver |
3rd Place (5 Winners) |
4. Kyra L.- Age 3 Boulder |
Ages 6-10
| 1st Place (1 Winner) Free Kids Only Bunk with the Beasts Registration for Two!Invitation to Toyota Elephant Passage Grand Opening |
1. Gretchen B.- Age 7 Aurora |
2nd Place (2 Winners) |
2. Haley T.- Age 9 Centennial |
3rd Place (5 Winners) |
4. Lindsey & Sydney D.- Ages 10 & 8 Erie |
Ages 11-12
| 1st Place (1 Winner) VIP Tour Program at Denver Zoo! Invitation to Toyota Elephant Passage Grand Opening |
1. Brett R.- Age 11 Denver |
2nd Place (2 Winners) |
2. Aisling K.- Age 12 Franktown |
3rd Place (5 Winners) |
4. Anonymous 1 - Age 12 Littleton |
Ages 13-17
| 1st Place (1 Winner) Free Keeper Experience Program at Denver Zoo! Invitation to Toyota Elephant Passage Grand Opening |
1. Lindsay H. - Age 15 |
2nd Place (2 Winners) |
2. Jenny & Jack O. - Ages 13 & 15 Littleton |
3rd Place (5 Winners) |
4. Samantha M.- Age 14 Thornton |
** All prizes must be redeemed before September 1, 2012 and registered for at least one month in advance. Registration for classes and programs may be limited based upon availability.
More News:
LOCAL BOY BOWLS FOR ELEPHANT-SIZED CAUSE - Evan Conklin will Donate all Proceeds of Bowling Party to Toyota Elephant Passage
KIDS CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF MARCH 13 TO SUPPORT Toyota Elephant Passage - Children asked to fill "ele" banks to raise money for new Denver Zoo exhibit slated to open in 2012
Contact us at denverzoocampaign@denverzoo.org with your questions and ideas.
Donate today to help care for our new animal residents in Toyota Elephant Passage. Your donation will help BIG things happen at Denver Zoo. Find out how to give!
