Community Corner
Oak Creek resident wins volunteer award
Averia Steinman
(414) 258-2333
April 9, 2014
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Zoological Society Employee Honored with Volunteer Award
Lynn Wilding, the volunteer services coordinator for the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM), received the Wile Volunteer Management Award on Thursday, April 3, at a ceremony at the Italian Community Center. Wilding was honored for her work with Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary. The award is given in appreciation of Shirley Chase Wile, who founded what is now the Association of Volunteer Managers in Southeastern Wisconsin (AVM). The award was presented in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee, a service of the Nonprofit Center.
“Lynn is enthusiastic and committed to community service,” says Bonnie Andrews, Volunteer Center manager. “She makes the world a better place for both humans and animals.”
Dr. Robert M. Davis, President/CEO of the ZSM, says Wilding has grown the number of Zoo Pride volunteers tremendously. “Zoo Pride had 65 members when it was started in 1976. Through her leadership and personality, Lynn has grown Zoo Pride to 630 volunteers who donate 50,000 hours a year. She is a true asset to the Zoological Society.”
Wilding has helped develop a variety of opportunities for Zoo Pride volunteers to:
- Guide visitors on tours of the Milwaukee County Zoo
- Conduct talks about specific animals & exhibits
- Educate children and adults through ZSM classes, camps, and carts containing animal artifacts
- Present to civic organizations various Zoo and ZSM activities
· Staff the Zoo’s and Zoological Society’s special events.
- Collaborate with zookeepers and Zoo staff to observe and note animal behaviors
- Write articles for Zoo Pride’s monthly newsletter, ZOOming In
Zoo Pride was selected to host the 2014 national conference of Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents and Volunteers next October in Milwaukee. This is the first time Zoo Pride has been chosen for this honor. Participants will network, share ideas, and cultivate the spirit of volunteering.
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