Story Ending For Lincoln Park Zoo Program?
Updated 12/20/2010 at 9:50 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Lincoln Park Zoo is warning that its popular Wednesday and Friday Story Time will be canceled next month unless funding is found fast.
Story Time is held twice every Wednesday and Friday morning at the Farm-in-the-Zoo section of the Lincoln Park Zoo. But the program will end on Jan. 12 if additional funding is not secured.
The zoo placed a notice on its Facebook page, urging visitors to donate to keep Story Time alive. The annual budget for the event is $15,000, the zoo says. The zoo needs $10,000.
"I think we can certainly look at the economy, and it makes fund-raising for non-profits difficult across the board," zoo spokeswoman Sharon Dewar told CBS 2's Dana Kozlov.
Story Time is held in the John Deere farm exhibit, located in yellow farmhouse at the Farm-in-the-Zoo. It features "tall tales" to teach children about letters, numbers, colors and animals, and a sing-along with original songs by children's performer "Mr. Singer."
The zoo accepts donations for Story Time at the Gateway Pavilion, or by mail at: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, Attention: Story Time.
But giving may be gaining momentum again.
Lisa Dietlin helps donors and non-profits find each other. She says donations are up for about two-thirds of all charities, while a third are doing worse than past years.
Dietlen says non-profits usually lag behind the economy 12 to 18 months, and there are reasons certain charities are thriving.
