Genuardi Family Foundation Gifts $1 Million to Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo is excited to announce it has received a $1 million donation from the Genuardi Family Foundation. The gift is in support of the zoo’s efforts to expand its development across the Stony Creek and is one of the largest in the zoo’s 97-year history.
Elmwood Park Zoo’s future expansion relies on being able to access the more than 20 acres of land that run adjacent to the zoo’s current footprint. The Genuardi Family Foundation’s gift will fund the construction of a 100 ft long vehicle and pedestrian bridge that spans the creek. The bridge is the crucial first step in allowing the zoo to develop the land for future animal enclosures, guest amenities and more. Learn more about the zoo’s Master Plan and Centennial Campaign here.
The Genuardi Family Foundation was established in 2001 by nine cousins of the third generation of the Genuardi family of Norristown as a means of giving back to the communities that supported their supermarket business. For over two decades, the Genuardi Family Foundation has helped fund a number of Elmwood Park Zoo’s initiatives, including its extensive animal husbandry programs, as well as its education programs for low income and special needs groups. “Our Board is pleased to support Elmwood Park Zoo at a crucial moment in its expansion,” said Beth Genuardi Borrelli, President of the Genuardi Family Foundation. “Families all over our region will continue to benefit immensely from the Zoo’s commitment to improving its exhibits and facilities, ensuring wonderful memories for future generations.”
“We are deeply thankful for the Genuardi Family Foundation’s tremendous generosity,” said Al Zone, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Executive Director and CEO. “Their support will get the ball rolling on the bridge across Stony Creek as well as our exciting plans for the future.”
“The gift from The Genuardi Family Foundation gets us one step closer to a whole new era for the zoo,” said Jennifer Conti, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Director of Development. “It opens up our ability to enhance our existing facility and create new and exciting adventures for our guests to enjoy.”
Quest for the Best to match donations to Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo is excited to announce that the charitable foundation Quest for the Best will match every private donation that the zoo receives throughout the month of May, up to $25,000. Quest for the Best will also count zoo memberships, adopt-an-animal packages, and gift cards purchased during this period toward their matching program.
Immediately after its closure in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the zoo began raising money for an Emergency Fund to support its daily animal care expenses. Without the ability to rely on admission revenue, the cost of essential items like food and medication threatened to empty the zoo’s reserves. Donations made to the Emergency Fund have directly supported these expenses.
“We are thankful to the Quest for the Best Foundation for presenting us with this matching grant that will double the donations made by the community,” said Jennifer Conti, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Director of Development. “We are very much looking forward to when our gates can open again, and each donation makes a difference until we are given permission to do so.”
“In furtherance of its mission to provide financial support to worthy causes in the Delaware Valley, Quest for the Best is pleased to support the Elmwood Park Zoo at a time when it faces enormous challenges in meeting the costs of maintaining the health, well-being, and safety of its animals,” said Taras Wochok, President of Quest for the Best.
Quest for the Best is led by legal professionals that provide business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations primarily located in Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Bucks Counties. They also provide counseling and advice to the appropriate individuals that are served by these organizations.
“We are eternally grateful to Quest for the Best, as well as all of the zoo’s members, patrons and neighbors that have supported us during this time,” said Al Zone, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Executive Director and CEO. “Quest for the Best’s matching program to support our Emergency Fund will no doubt attract new supporters, while helping to ensure that we can continue providing our animals with exceptional care.”
Donations can be made to Elmwood Park Zoo’s Emergency Fund by visiting elmwoodparkzoo.org/emergency or by calling 610.277.3825 x 229.
Wild Lights Returns to Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo is pleased to announce the scheduled return of its popular holiday lights event, Wild Lights. First debuting in 2018, Wild Lights transforms the zoo into a bright winter wonderland, with over a million lights adorning the trees, exhibits and buildings throughout its 16 acres. Tickets are on sale now at epzwildlights.com.
In addition to all-new light installations and a few returning favorites from last year, each night of Wild Lights will feature additional entertainment and attractions, such as unique animal greetings, performances, character appearances, holiday music, photos with Santa, carousel rides and more.
The evening events are scheduled for 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on select dates, beginning November 22, and running through January 5. Prices range from $14 for adults to $9 for children. Yearly zoo members can purchase Wild Lights tickets for $12 for adults and $7 for children. Children ages 0 to 2 years old are free.
Wild Lights is generously sponsored by Taphouse 23. Located in Bridgeport, PA, Taphouse 23 serves gourmet food and the finest locally-sourced craft brews. Additional support for Wild Lights is provided by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98, the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, and 1SEO.com.
J. P. MASCARO & SONS FOUNDATIONS DONATES $2 MILLION FOR NEW TIGER EXHIBIT
Elmwood Park Zoo is excited to announce it has received a $2 million donation from J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations for the design and construction of a brand new Amur tiger exhibit. It will be the first time in the zoo’s 95-year history that tigers will be a part of its collection. The exhibit is slated to open in 2022.
Amur (also known as Siberian) tigers are the largest cats in the world. It is a highly threatened species, but wild populations can still be found throughout the forests of eastern Russia, as well as some areas in China and possibly North Korea. The tigers will be joining the zoo’s collection of “big” cats on exhibit, which currently includes jaguars and cougars.
“J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations has provided a tremendous amount of support to the community for many, many years. It’s truly inspiring,” said Al Zone, Elmwood Park Zoo Executive Director and CEO. “They’ve also funded several of the zoo’s programs and services, which has benefited thousands of our guests and the people we meet in our community outreach. J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations has helped the zoo to grow and succeed, and their gift of a new tiger exhibit promises to take us to a whole new level.”
The J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations donation is being made in memory of Francesco A. Mascaro and Rosemarie Mascaro Venditti, both of whom are siblings of Mascaro company owners, Pat, Joseph, Michael and Louis Mascaro.
“The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown is a quality operation that is enjoyed by local area residents. Our family has its roots in the Norristown area, and we are happy to be able to make the zoo’s new tiger exhibit a reality,” said Joseph P. Mascaro, Jr., the oldest of the Mascaro brothers. “My brother Frank always had a soft spot in his heart for the zoo, and no one loved animals more than my sister, Rosie. Our company is pleased to make this tiger exhibit donation to the zoo in their memory.”
Mascaro company President, Pat Mascaro, said, “Donations like this to the zoo in memory of my brother Frank and my sister, Rosie, and donations that our company is able to make to other deserving community programs, groups and organizations, are only possible because of the thousands of customers who do business with J. P. Mascaro & Sons, and because of our dedicated company employees who serve those customers. I want to give a special thank you to those customers and employees.”
Dinosaurs to Make Debut at Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo is set to unveil a large addition to its exhibit collection when they debut Dwayne “The Brach” Johnson, a 65 foot long, 35 foot tall Brachiosaurus. Dwayne will be officially available to greet the public on Friday, July 19, beginning at 10:00 am.
The lifelike robot is the creation of Dino Don, Inc., a Media, PA-based firm responsible for state of the art dinosaur exhibits that are on display throughout the world. The Brachiosaurus that they’ve installed in the zoo’s former capybara pond swings his neck and moves his head while emitting a roar that is similar to the ones heard from the dinos running amok in the Jurassic Park films.
The zoo held a contest to name the dinosaur, with people asked to vote on their favorite name from a list that included “Zacheosaurus,” and “Bracha Lee.” Dwayne “The Brach” Johnson ran away with the vote, garnering nearly 30% of all 1,300 online respondents.
In addition to Dwayne, guests will see a smaller Velociraptor robot positioned on the banks of the pond that also moves and makes noise. The zoo has also created a dig pit for children to uncover bones and artifacts like their favorite paleontologists, and a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex head will be on hand for unique photo ops.
Elmwood Park Zoo’s dinosaur exhibit will be on display through Labor Day. The exhibit is free to view with paid zoo admission. A 50% off admission discount and other savings are available between 2 and 5 pm on weekdays only. More information is available at elmwoodparkzoo.org.
Read Across America Features Author Jerry Spinelli
Author Jerry Spinelli and a host of other special guests will help Elmwood Park Zoo celebrate their annual Read Across America event on Saturday, March 2, from 11 AM to 2 PM. Read Across America is an event organized by the National Education Association. It celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Seuss by encouraging children and young adults to read.
The zoo’s celebration features Mr. Spinelli, a Norristown native and acclaimed author of “Maniac Magee” and “Stargirl.” He will be greeting guests and signing books in the zoo’s Canopy Gardens Hall.
Additional special guests will include members of RSVP, a King of Prussia-based organization that supports communities through volunteerism. They will be reading popular English and Spanish language children’s stories.
Popular PBS Kids character Super Why will be greeting guests, courtesy of his friends from the WHYY Kids Club.
In addition to the special guest appearances, Read Across America will also feature a book fair, live animal greets, and a used book drive that benefits RSVP. Read Across America is a free to attend event after purchasing regular zoo admission.