Thank goodness it's Friday will take on several meanings Friday, March 22nd for the folks at Brookshire Brothers and their neighbors at the Ellen Trout Zoo. Dozens of the company's employee-owners will don work gloves, grab paint brushes, and spray on the sunscreen for a day at the ZOO. It's a tradition that the company began ten years ago to recognize the impact the Best Small Town Zoo in America has on the hundreds of thousands of families in almost every East Texas and Western Louisiana community that Brookshire Brothers has a grocery or convenience store.

 

Company President and CEO Jerry Johnson says, "We realize that not just our local customers but our loyal shoppers from 2-3 hours away come to Lufkin to spend a day at the Zoo. It's a privilege for our company to pay our employee owners to go across the street and put some sweat equity into a place that so many of our customers enjoy."

 

Friday's work day couldn't come at a better time says the Zoo's Charlotte Henley. The Director of Educational Services adds, "Just last week we had 12,538 visitors! The Spring Break crowds calls for some Spring cleaning and refurbishing." Henley says this year's 'to do' list includes painting the front of the big cat exhibit, the rhino runway and the old concession stand. Electricians, plumbers, builders, accountants and clerks will also add plants and rocks to the waterfowl pool and some reed fencing around the flamingos.

 

Henley laughs, "Taking care of 800 animals a day is intense. We just run out of hours and manpower. We would all agree that keeping this huge investment in great repair and fine tuned for our visitors would not be possible without the help of our friends at Brookshire Brothers. They are great neighbors and incredible supporters."

 

In addition to the painting, heaving, hauling and cleaning, Brookshire Brothers will provide lunch for the Zoo Staff and all of the volunteers on Friday. Learn more about Brookshire Brothers and get connected at www.BrookshireBrothers.com.