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A gift can be planned to support your charitable interests while maximizing your personal objectives. A Gift Planning Officer would be glad to work with you and your advisor to determine the best option for you.
- By phone at
(619) 744-3352 - By our online form to request additional gift planning information
- By mail at:
P.O. Box 120551
San Diego, CA 92112
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by mail, click here or contact us at:
(619) 744-3352.
Gift Planning
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Shirley Sykes - A Devoted Friend of the Zoo 
From left: Kath Marmack the trainer, Daphne the emu, and Shirley Shirley is a devoted friend and member of our Zoo family, who has not only supported the Zoological Society with generous gifts but in many other ways as well including her frequents visits to the Zoo and Park, attending special functions, engaging her grandchildren and friends in Zoo and Park activities and becoming well-acquainted with our staff. She is a person who genuinely cares about individual animals as well as the world’s wildlife and is truly making a difference through her generosity and dedication to conservation. Shirley and her beloved, late husband, Chuck, first joined the Zoological Society in 1959, a few years after they moved to San Diego from Chicago. Shirley taught English literature and composition at Mesa and other local colleges and Chuck was a supervising probation officer for the County Probation Department. While their three children were teenagers, Shirley and Chuck took a short leave of absence from the Zoological Society, but rejoined in the 1980s and became avid supporters of its Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES) program. “During World War II, Chuck spent two years in India, and while on a troop train saw a tiger drinking at a river with her cubs, which made a lasting impression on him,” said Shirley. “He was very fond of nature programs and documentaries, and was particularly concerned about habitat destruction on the planet. He became the guiding force of our relationship with the Zoological Society and loved the Zoo and Park dearly, and especially the important work that CRES was doing.” 
From left: Karroo the cheetah and Shirley Just recently, Shirley made the Zoological Society the beneficiary of her Individual Retirement Account (IRA). She had read a Wall Street Journal article about the complexities of passing an IRA on to heirs. Since it had always been her intention to leave something to the Zoological Society, the solution seemed simple. “I was able to change the IRA beneficiary to the Society without going through the bother and expense of a will change,” said Shirley. “My children will still have most of my estate, and they won't have to struggle with the IRS tax complications.” Shirley designated the funds to go to the molecular diagnostic lab in the pathology division of CRES, which holds a special place in her heart. Through tours of the lab and lunch with its scientists, Shirley stays up-to-date with their projects and successes in finding solutions to health issues that affect our animals and wildlife around the world. Through her generosity, graciousness and involvement with the Zoological Society, Shirley is a true philanthropist, who is much appreciated. She has integrated the dreams and interests she shared with her late husband, Chuck, with her gift planning goals for the future.
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