John Ball Zoo Did Something Really Special for a Grand Rapids Family

As John Ball Zoo (JBZ) enters its busy season, families are flocking to the zoo. Now, more than ever, is the best time to go to the zoo, given the recent expansion to the North American Otter exhibit. One family had that exact plan last year for a nice outing at the zoo. But their lives were upended, and as a result, they were never able to make it.

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But that's where JBZ came in to help make their days a bit brighter this year after performing an act of kindness that will give a struggling family a whole year of zoo memories. 

Provided by John Ball Zoo

John Ball Zoo Gives Grieving Family A Free Year Membership

Jess-Martin Mayers posted a screenshot on Facebook yesterday from her interaction with Mary Kuchta, a Membership Coordinator at John Ball Zoo. At first glance, this had all the ingredients for a story about a negative interaction: a paragraph with an attached email screenshot. However, that initial reaction is completely off after reading the third sentence.

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The story goes as follows: Jess's mother bought a zoo membership for herself, Jess, and her grandkids to make some memories together. However, before the family was able to go, let alone pick up the membership card, Jess' mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The membership cards sat at JBZ, uncollected, while the family grappled with the passing of one's mother and the kids' grandmother.

After the dust settled, Jess reached out to the JBZ membership team and explained the situation in a Hail Mary, "it never hurts to ask," to see if they would be willing to let them visit the zoo despite their memberships now being expired.

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Well, JBZ did more than that. Instead of just letting the family visit for a day, Mary Kuchta extended their membership plan for the entire summer and would let the Mayers return as many times as they'd like to walk the zoo in Jess' mom's honor.

Tommy McNeill, Townsquare Media

It's a truly human story, a gift that Jess and her kids can spend together. In a world where it feels like there's more bad news than good, this is an incredible story that shows how just a little compassion can make all the difference.