September 2009
A Lifelong Love Bill and Betsy Rezel don’t like just one thing about the Milwaukee County Zoo…they like everything! For over a quarter-century, the Rezels have supported the Zoo in several ways. They have been members of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) since 1984. They have been members of Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary, since 2004. And last April, the Rezels increased their financial commitment to the Zoo and the ZSM by becoming members of the Platypus Society, the ZSM’s highest-level, donor-member recognition group. However, their love of the Zoo goes back even further. “I remember visiting the gibbons at Washington Park Zoo when I was a kid. And I remember going to the Milwaukee County Zoo when it was new,” says Betsy. Her husband, Bill, also has memories dating back decades: “I remember being brought to the Zoo when I was a kid. My favorite part was anything dealing with the Safari trains. And of course, I can still remember seeing Samson the silverback [gorilla].” Betsy and Bill have always shared their lifelong love of the Zoo with their two daughters, Sara and Beth. Now that their daughters are grown and have their own families, Bill and Betsy can share the Zoo with yet another generation, their 2-year-old granddaughter, Isabel. “Izzy loves the farm with the cows, goats and playground,” says Betsy. “And she loves the tigers and the rest of the new feline house [the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country.] We think it’s such a great design for children.” One of the reasons why the Rezels like the Zoological Society of Milwaukee so much is because they strongly believe in both its conservation and education missions. In the 125 hours or so per year that they put in as volunteers in Zoo Pride, they serve on the continuing education committee and are the chairpersons for the Zoological Society special events committee (for such fund-raisers as the annual family bike ride in September). “They both give so much of themselves and their time. If they are not busy chairing an event, they attend and bring their family,” says Lynn Wilding, ZSM volunteer services coordinator. “But their giving does not stop there. They are always ready to offer services in other areas of need. Bill is a great resource when it comes to technical needs or computer issues, and Betsy is always a positive influence when dealing with sensitive situations. The Rezels are great examples of dedicated volunteers.”
Photo by Dale Gray
In April, at a breakfast meeting held specifically for Zoo Pride members, Betsy and Bill learned more about the Platypus Society. They decided that now would be a perfect time to join and extend their support of the ZSM. The Rezels’ dedication to the Zoo spans generations. Bill and Betsy have enjoyed the Zoo as visitors, Zoological Society members, volunteers, and now as donors. Their commitment to the Zoo never waivers because, in the words of Betsy Rezel, “supporting the Milwaukee County Zoo makes us feel like we are actually making a difference.” By Brianne Schwantes