CONTACT:
Russell H. Williams
FOR RELEASE: February 5, 2001 Telephone:
336-879-7250
North Carolina Zoological Society Establishes John Laurence and Martha M. Sanford Fund
ASHEBORO--Over the last the two years, the North Carolina
Zoological Society has received contributions totaling $1.4 million from
the charitable remainder trust of the late John Laurence and Martha M.
Sanford. The combined contribution is the second largest ever received
by the Zoo Society.
To show its appreciation for this and similar estate gifts, the Zoo
Society has established a new program that creates named funds to honor
significant donations that come from wills, trusts and other planned
gifts.
The John Laurence and Martha M. Standford Fund
is the first fund of this type to be established and managed as part of
the Zoo Society’s larger Lion’s Pride Fund. The Lion’s Pride fund
receives planned gifts to the Zoo Society and manages them to generate
income to meet the needs of the state zoo.
According to Russ Williams, executive director of the Zoo Society,
"The Lion’s Pride Fund has grown to more than $3 million in the last
three years. This amazing generosity made it clear to us that we needed
a way to honor people for leaving such a wonderful legacy to the North
Carolina Zoo. Establishing these funds is a way to ensure that these
donors are always remembered."
The Zoo Society has also created the Richard C. and Peggy Sloan Fund
within the Lion’s Pride Fund using stock gifts totaling $128,000. The
Sloans, who live in East Tennessee, sent this gift while
considering whether to establish their own charitable remainder trust.
Further study convinced the Sloans that a direct gift to the Zoo Society
during their lifetimes would better serve their philanthropic purposes
with regard to the Society.
The Zoo Society is the private, non-profit support organization for
the North Carolina Zoo. The zoo is located on Zoo Parkway (N.C. 159),
six miles southeast of Asheboro off U.S. 64 and U.S. 220. For
information on Society memberships, call 336-879-7250. For zoo
information, call 1-800-488-0444.
The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley,
Governor.
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