2 Racine Zoo Volunteers Honored For Their Work

RACINE, WI — Two Racine Zoo volunteers were honored with Volunteer of the
Year awards by the Volunteer Center of Racine County at their 17th-annual award luncheon on Friday, April 26.

Sarah Leonard was awarded the Education Volunteer of the Year award, presented by
Educator’s Credit Union, and Jackson Hemmig was awarded the Youth Volunteer of the Year.

Leonard started volunteering at the Zoo in spring 2017. In two years, she has amassed more than 400 hours assisting with everything from special events and fundraisers to preparing diets for the animals.

“There's many reasons why I enjoy volunteering at the Racine Zoo,” she said. “Not only do I get to share my passion and love of animals with other people, but I also am able to educate and spread the message of conservation at the same time. I feel this is, in a way, my small part in ensuring knowledge of these beautiful creatures for years to come.”

Hemmig amassed more than 60 hours in 2018 volunteering with the Racine Zoo — a notable achievement for a teenager who also carries a full high school course load. Hemmig often finds additional tasks that benefit the Zoo and goes above and beyond the call of duty.

In 2018 he proposed a new program of volunteers assisting driving the Racine Zoo's Zoo Choo trackless train. Hemmig's program been a big help to Zoo staff and gives teens and adult volunteers a new opportunity to bring smiles to Zoo guests.

“Thank you for nominating me for this award,” Hemmig said. “I am thankful for your help with all of my great experiences at the Racine Zoo.”

Hemmig has done nearly everything at the Zoo a volunteer can do, from wearing the Zoo's mascot costume in local parades to picking up garbage around the Zoo to preparing diets for animals and educating Zoo guests about conservation.