For immediate release: Contact: Mercede Gardner, 904-757-4463, ext. 211; Evin Willlman, 904-655-7085

Zoo Offers $2 Off Admission for Contributions to Dignity U Wear’s Undie Sunday, Undie Monday Clothing Drive This Weekend!

February 21, 2008 - Jacksonville, Fl -  Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is proud to announce Dignity U Wear’s Undie Sunday, Undie Monday clothing drive on February 23rd to collect new, packaged children’s underwear to help restore dignity, self-confidence and self-esteem to children and families.  It’s part of a citywide campaign that culminates on Undie Sunday—March 9th—and Undie Monday, March 10th.  As a drop off location the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is offering a special admission to guests who donate new children’s underwear.  Bring at least one new package of children’s underwear to the Zoo on February 23rd and guests receive $2.00 off regular child, adult or senior admission. 

“We are proud to support this great organization in their efforts to help children in need,” said Zoo Executive Director, Dennis Pate. “This is the second year that we have held a collection event for them, and we’re hoping that everyone will come out to contribute.”

Dignity U Wear was founded in 2000 to provide new socks and underwear to the homeless. The nonprofit organization expanded rapidly and now distributes brand new clothing of all types to men, women and children through 280 nonprofit recipient agencies in 30 states. Seventy agencies in the Dignity U Wear network are located in Northeast Florida. Since it began, the organization has donated 3.4 million pieces of clothing, valued at $65 million, to more than 300,000 people.  For more information go to www.dignityuwear.org    

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

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