Stepping forth to kick off a new initiative in support of Niabi Zoo is a group of local businesses called the "Business Friends of Niabi Zoo." Over the next 12-18 months, participating businesses in the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities will be coordinating individual promotions and efforts to raise funding towards the new elephant house.

As part of a recent accreditation inspection by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Niabi Zoo was asked to start having a stronger focus on renovating the home for the elephants. The proposed new structure is estimated to cost over $4 million, and Niabi Zoo has been relying on community members and organizations to help raise the needed funding.

Local company GCO Flooring is kicking off the "Business Friends" initiative. "We believe very strongly that giving back to our community is one of the most important things you can do as a business owner," said Shawn and Janelle Langan, co-owners of GCO Flooring. "That's what we teach our associates, children, and it truly is the foundation of how we run our business."

Throughout this initiative, GCO Flooring announced that they will spearhead this group's efforts by announcing a 5 percent donation of qualifying sales towards the elephant house initiative. Throughout the year GCO also plans to hold special sale weekends aimed specifically towards the elephant house.

Other members of the business community in the Quad Cities were also called on to consider joining this effort. President of Rock Island County Forest Preserve, Tom Rockwell, said, "We hope that this business group inspires other businesses on both sides of the river to support our local zoo."

Collectively, the participating businesses will work with the Niabi Zoological Society throughout the fundraising effort.

During a press conference on Thursday, October 6^th, representatives from Rock Island County, Niabi Zoo, the Niabi Zoological Society, and the Convention & Visitors Bureau all spoke about the impact this effort can make.

"Initiatives like this are so important to keeping facilities like Niabi Zoo operating at the highest caliber possible," said Zoo Director Mark Ryan. "Community efforts like this do so much to gain support and awareness for our programming in the Quad Cities." 

The proposed new space for the zoo will be large enough to house up to four elephants, including special facilities to house a male. The new structure will enable Niabi Zoo to work towards getting a third elephant, and also have the capability to temporarily house an elephant should another zoo need assistance.

Throughout the coming months the progress of the Business Friends for Niabi Zoo will be shared and communicated with the Quad Cities community through releases, online and social media. Individual business events to support the fundraising effort will also be shared.

Firefighter Steven S. Crannell, age 47, of the Guthrie Center Fire Department died after suffering a heart attack within 24 hours of participating in a department training exercise on April 22, 2010.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security will sponsor the official national tribute on October 16, 2011.

As first responders to all natural and manmade emergencies, fire service personnel are in constant danger. During 2010, 72 firefighters died in the line of duty, making firefighting one of the nation's most dangerous occupations.

More than 6,000 people, including Members of Congress, Administration officials and other dignitaries, members of the fire service, and families and friends of the fallen firefighters will attend the event.  Families will receive flags flown over the U. S. Capitol and the National Memorial. Members of the fire service, honor guard units and pipe and drum units from across the U.S. will participate in this national tribute.

Many fire departments across the country will also conduct simultaneous services, lower flags to half-staff, sound sirens, and observe a moment of silent tribute.  For the first time in Memorial Weekend history, departments and local places of worship are invited to participate in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters, a national moment of remembrance, to honor those who died in the line of duty.  For more information on Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters visit: www.BellsAcrossAmerica.com.

For a complete list of fallen firefighters being honored and a widget to display their information on your website, along with Memorial Weekend related videos, photos, media and broadcast information visit Weekend.FireHero.org.         

About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)

Coal Valley, IL - September 23, 2011 - Niabi Zoo has announced an all-new and fun event to benefit the construction of a larger and more modern elephant exhibit. The new event, titled Wines for Wildlife & Art Expo: Presented by the Grape Life, is an after-hours wine tasting that offers attendees the chance to sample a variety of wines for a good cause. Attendees will enjoy music and appetizers in a fun and casual atmosphere. Wines for Wildlife & Art Expo: Presented by The Grape Life takes place on zoo grounds on Saturday, October 1, 2011, from 6:00 pm to 10:00pm.

"Niabi Zoo is extremely proud to be the only zoo in the state of Illinois to feature elephants as part of its collection," says Assistant Zoo Director Marc Heinzman. "Our two Asian elephants, Babe and Sophie, are the biggest stars of the Zoo, both figuratively and literally. They deserve a larger and more modern habitat, and we hope to add a third elephant sometime after construction is completed."

The estimated exhibit cost is close to $4 million, and Niabi Zoo is hoping to offset some of that cost with a variety of fundraising activities, such as Wines for Wildlife & Art Expo: Presented by The Grape Life. In addition to the wine tasting, the event will also feature an art gallery consisting of masterpieces from local artists and even zoo animals such as elephants, lions, snakes, and birds. "We have a lot of artists here at Niabi Zoo," says Heinzman, "and they love to paint."

Tickets for the event are $40 for zoo members and $45 for non-members in advance, or $50 for all at the gate. The Zoo is also selling Double Mangnum 4- packs of tickets at $150 for members and $170 for non-members. Call 309-799-3482 ext. 242 or email events@niabizoo.com to purchase tickets.