Four Years and 435,000 Visits: Bashor Family Fund Supports Active-duty Military and Wounded Warriors
Call it a gift that keeps on giving. An endowment announced on November 11, 2017 guaranteed that active-duty military members would have unlimited admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in perpetuity, and support wounded warrior activities in the Zoo, has had an impressive impact. The Bashor Family Patriots Fund enabled more than 350,000 visits to the Zoo and almost 84,000 visits to Safari Park … so far.
Three longtime community supporters made this possible. They are the late Jim Bashor, a U.S. Army veteran and philanthropist, his wife Dianne Bashor, who continues the family tradition, and David Malcolm, a longtime friend and philanthropic advisor of theirs.
“I am proud of the benefits provided to those who serve as a result,” said Dianne Bashor. “Jim would be pleased with the number of people who have been able to take advantage of this.”
The Patriots Fund also works with the Naval Medical Center San Diego to serve wounded warriors. As a result, wounded warriors are able to enter the Zoo prior to its public opening to exercise without the impediment of large crowds.
“If you want to be inspired,” said David Malcolm, “go watch these men and women navigate the pathways, hills and valleys as they regain their abilities and self-confidence.”
The Bashors’ gift also funded construction of the Bashor Bridge, which connects two sides of the Zoo and spans a large canyon.
“The Bashor Bridge makes it much easier to get around the Zoo,” said SDZWA President & CEO Paul Baribault, “especially for mothers with strollers and anyone with mobility challenges. That, too, is a gift that keeps on giving.”
Malcolm summed it up. “The Zoo and Safari Park are icons that everyone should be able to enjoy. The Bashors recognized that and stepped up on behalf of those in the military.”
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About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.
