Minnesota Zoo Media Contact

If you need additional information or wish to request an interview with any Minnesota Zoo staff member, please contact:

Kelly Lessard
Public Relations
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9217 direct
952.431.9300 fax
kelly.lessard@state.mn.us

 

 

Press Releases

Minnesota Zoo Volunteers Turn 100 and 90-years old – Together
November 7 marks a big day for two popular Zoo faces

Apple Valley, MINN – November 3, 2009: – Two Minnesota Zoo volunteers, who combined have donated over 7,000 hours of service to the Zoo, will share a very special birthday this coming weekend – turning 100 and 90 years old on the same day.

Minneapolis resident Floyd Lewellen, 99, and Apple Valley resident Andy Anderson, 89, will both become another year older this Saturday, November 7. Although Lewellen is now considered an honorary volunteer after halting his official service to the Zoo in 2008, he visits the Zoo each month to enjoy a potluck lunch with his volunteer team. Anderson–who walks at the Zoo each morning–is a volunteer at the Wells Fargo Family Farm on Mondays and Thursdays.

Because Zoo volunteers are scheduled on certain days of the week, Lewellen and Anderson didn’t know each other – until they “accidentally” met in the Zoo’s Volunteer Lounge a few years ago. That is when they learned that they not only share the same birthday, but actually know the same people in a neighboring state.

Honorary Volunteer Floyd Lewellen – 5,939 hours donated to the Minnesota Zoo:
Lewellen started volunteering in March of 1985. He was an active interpretive volunteer on Tuesdays for many years, and then transferred to the membership office. Lewellen worked for Naegele Outdoor Advertising before retiring, later volunteering at the Zoo.

Volunteer Andy Anderson - 1,139.75 hours donated to the Minnesota Zoo:
Anderson started volunteering at the Farm exhibit in June 2003. He currently walks four miles per day, usually around the Northern Trail before the Zoo opens for the day. When the winter weather sets in, Andy still walks daily – he just adds goggles to his outdoor wear, and might consider stopping in to have coffee with the Farm staff before he finishes his walk. Anderson is a retired farmer from Iowa who moved to Minnesota to be near his daughter and her family.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).