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Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) March 25, 2005 Businessman donates $100,000 to zoo fund Edition: All Section: CITY Page: B2 Estimated printed pages: 1 Article Text: PEORIA - A Peoria businessman announced Thursday he is donating $100,000 to the Zoological Society to help fund expansion of Glen Oak Zoo. Lee Graves said the donation was inspired by his daughter, Whitney, an 11-year-old student at Lindbergh Middle School. "She loves animals," he said. The funds will go toward the $32 million capital campaign to triple the size of the zoo, including a new entrance, an orientation plaza and an African exhibit. So far, $17.35 million has been raised. Graves' company, Environmental Liability Management (ELM), performs environmental restoration projects. "We do environmental work in habitats, so it's a good fit," he said. The expansion plans will make the zoo "a good anchor for the city and a good thing for families and kids and the environment," Graves added. Construction could begin in fall 2007 if 90 percent of the fund-raising goal is met. The zoo expansion is a joint project of! the society and Peoria Park District. Copyright (c) 2005 The Peoria Journal Star, Inc. Record Number: 0000626838 |