Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact by including the Houston Zoo in their estate plans and what these legacy gifts mean to them.

Renee Renfroe: Inspiring the Next Generation of Wildlife Heroes
Renee Renfroe: Inspiring the Next Generation of Wildlife Heroes
As a longtime member of the Houston Zoo, Renee Renfroe watched her son grow up during Zoo visits, saw her friends and family get more involved as volunteer leaders, and supported our annual fund.
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Sharon Roark: Designating a Gift To Save Animals for Generations
Sharon Roark: Designating a Gift To Save Animals for Generations
Sharon Roark grew up loving zoos. Today, she still does. Sharon grew up near Washington D.C., where she and her family often visited the National Zoo.
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Mike and Debra Dishberger: A Simple Way to Make a Big Impact
Mike and Debra Dishberger: A Simple Way to Make a Big Impact
Mike and Debra Dishberger, longtime supporters of our Zoo, have always loved the different baby animals born here.
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Ann and Stephen Kaufman: Helping the Next Generation Make Memories with Our Animals
Ann and Stephen Kaufman: Helping the Next Generation Make Memories with Our Animals
Families and friends have created special memories at our Zoo over the past 100 years. For Ann and Stephen Kaufman, it was a part of their childhood growing up in the city. It was such a special place that Ann volunteered with our Zoo in the 1960s.
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Mardi Turner: Caring For our Animals for the Future
Mardi Turner: Caring For our Animals for the Future
Why do you support our Zoo? For Mardi Turner, it's because of our commitment to providing the best care for our animals. She began volunteering at our Zoo in 2001. "Right now, I assist with food preparation for some of our smaller animals, like the Asian small-clawed otters.
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