FRESNO (KMJ) — Fresno Chaffee Zoo announces a partnership with Valley Children’s Hospital. The three year deal, revealed Friday morning, will initially see the medical center sponsoring the “Twiga Terrace” giraffe feeding area within the African Adventure exhibit.
The bosses of both organizations describe it as the start of a long-term association.
“We’ve talked about a lot of other programs that we can do”, reveals Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO Scott Barton.
“Including visiting children in the hospital with our zoo mobile, including doing programs that they can watch on TV where they can interact with keepers, if they’re not able to leave the hospital and come to the zoo.
“But also we even talk about some things we can do to promote health and wellness to the visitors at the zoo.”
Choosing the giraffe feeding area as the first location for the deal was also no coincidence.
“Many years ago, when our founders were thinking about the appropriate mascot for Valley Children’s, it came to our attention that the giraffe has the largest heart of all land mammals,” reveals hospital President and CEO Todd Suntrapak. “To this day George, with his heart shaped spots is beloved by children and adults alike.”
George was present for the announcement, and showed much excitement for the agreement.
“Normally the giraffe platform corporate sponsorship is $50,000”, reveals Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s Chief Marketing and Development Officer Alisha Anderson.
“Being that it’s Children’s Hospital and we’re so excited to partner with them, Children’s is sponsoring it for $25,000…we can make this a true collaboration between our two organizations.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
