CONTACTS:        

Tara Henson (405) 919-9038, cell / (405) 425-0219, office / thenson@okczoo.com
Candice Rennels (405) 412-6172, cell / (405) 425-0298, office / crennels@okczoo.com
Dana McCrory (405)996-8333, cell/(405) 425-0615, office /dmccrory@zoofriends.org
Brianne Hinojosa (405)426-6029, cell / (405)425-0612, office / bhinojosa@zoofriends.org

FRED JONES FAMILY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE OKLAHOMA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS RECIPIENT OF MARY EDDY JONES SIGNATURE GIFT 

What:  The Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS) is pleased to announce they will be receiving the Mary Eddy Jones Signature Gift of $50,000 from the Fred Jones Family Foundation

Who:   Kirkland Hall, President & Chairman of Fred Jones Family Foundation

When: September 23, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.

Where: Oklahoma City Zoo Education Building Entrance.

The Mary Eddy Jones Signature Gift will be used to create the gardens of the new veterinary hospital at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The new hospital location, which will be on the grounds of the Oklahoma City Zoo, will feature native Oklahoma plant landscaping and will fit seamlessly into the naturalistic setting of the Zoo. The Zoo is recognized as an accredited botanical garden through the American Association of Museums.

The Fred Jones Family Foundation created the Mary Eddy Jones Signature Gift in honor of the late Mary Eddy Jones to continue her legacy in the areas of interest to which she was so diligently dedicated. In addition to traveling and helping within the community, Mary Eddy Jones was an avid gardener; she loved both formal and informal gardens, and arboretums. She loved art and had the talent to entertain beautifully, with a special eye to every detail. The Mary Eddy Jones Peony is named in her honor. Mary Eddy Jones consistently sought to improve the arts, culture, and beautification throughout central Oklahoma.

Mrs. Jones advocated returning the Zoo to naturalistic landscapes many decades ago. She was instrumental in leading campaigns to beautify the gardens in the Zoo. Gifted at design of garden-scaping, proportion and space, she helped begin the trend of adding trees and plants into the Zoo.

OZS was created in 1954 to support and promote the Oklahoma City Zoo and its four purposes of education, conservation, zoological research and recreation. OZS does this through membership drives, fund-raising, capital campaigns, marketing, special events and public relations.

Interview opportunities will be available with Kirkland Hall, President & Chairman of the Fred Jones Family Foundation; Alan Varsik, Assistant Zoo Director of the Oklahoma City Zoo; Dana McCrory, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Zoological Society and Pearl Pearson, Curator of Horticulture with the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Editor’s note: Interested media representatives check in at Education Building (east end of parking lot). For more information on the Fred Jones Family Foundation visit fredjonesfamilyfoundation.com.

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