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Contact: Gina Stiles, Marketing & Membership Manager
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Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Salutes Volunteers with Awards Banquet

May 20, 2009 - Jacksonville, Fl - The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ honored its most loyal volunteers at an awards dinner held at the Zoo on May 14, 2009. There are more than 340 active volunteers that have donated approximately 24,000 hours of service in support of the Zoo this past year.  That equates to about 12 full-time employees.

“Volunteers are an integral part of our Zoo,” said Janet Johnson, interim director of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “Despite the increased cost of living and unstable economy, these outstanding citizens have remained faithful to our Zoo and are role models for all Americans. We are very fortunate and privileged to have their loyal support.”

The following are the 2009 award recipients honored, when they began and their number of hours served:

Merlyn B. Reed Volunteers of the Year:
Cathy Forbes -- Docent (volunteer educator) October 1999; more than 2,600 hours
Elaine Roblez -- Docent; January 2006; more than 650 hours

Docent of the Year:  
Louisa Grabar -- 1999; 940 hours

Animal Keeper Assistant of the Year:
Sam Buccolo -- March 2008; 330 hours

Horticulture Volunteers of the Year:
Nancy Dodd -- June 2002; 1,700 hours
Sue Logan -- January 2002; 1,070 hours

Marketing Volunteer of the Year:
Alexis Naumann -- March 2008; 150 hours

Unique Talents Award:
Tim Lawrence -- 2007; more than 100 hours

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 1,400 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.  The Zoo is open until 6:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

Photos are available upon request.

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