The Denver Zoo played host to Lutheran Family Services on Friday night. As excited families arrived at the check-in desk, children received animal masks and then were greeted by face painters as they entered the Denver Zoo after hours. In the Conoco zoo garden pavilions, a dinner of salads, chicken, pork sandwiches and candy floss was waiting and then it was off to enjoy the animals, the train ride and the carousel. Thunder and lightening threatened, but for the most part held off and everyone was able to enjoy their time at the zoo. Closed to the general public, the zoo was uncrowded and families were able to see the animals without crowds and enjoy the rides without any waiting, except for lightening delays.
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains provides support for the vulnerable in society from newborns to seniors. With its beginnings over 60 years ago as an adoption agency, LFS still provides many services in the area of foster care and adoption support, but through the years has branched out to provide many other services to families facing challenges. LFS also works with refugee and immigrant families as they adjust to their new lives in America.
For further information about Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains please check out their website at http://www.lfsco.org
Entrance to the zoo
Crowd at the check-in desk
Volunteer handing out animal masks
Laura Cuffe, left, Jerry Paul, Deb Paul and Bailey
CEO Jim Barclay, left, Jane Pope Meehan, Rev. Bob Kuehner with Adalyn and Macy
Addison and Lori Pope with Macy
Check-in staff
Music duet
Lutheran Family Services serves people throughout the Rocky Mountain region
Buffet barbeque
Cotton candy, anyone?
Chloe Brown, Miss Colorado Teen USA, left, and Amanda Wiley, Miss Colorado USA
Darrin and Alissa Graham with Collin and Eric
Crowd enjoying dinner
Spencer, left, Beth Walker and Luke
Kohl’s Cares volunteers
Conoco zoo gardens
Jerry Buchholz, left, Cale, Lori Anderson, Kinsey
Up close and personal with an emu
Sue Johnson, left, and Libby Dale with Ben
A Dall’s sheep checks out the visitors
Ben enjoys a ride on the carousel
Climbing fun on the hippo
A cheetah lays in the grass
Brett and Erin Frederickson with Rae Ann and Jordan
Scott Ayen, left, Darcy Ayen, Bill Ayen, Andrea Ayen, with Shyla, Brendan, Lauren and Devon
Jim and Barb Barclay with Aedy
Michael Josten and Christy Wimber
Jody Pierce, left, Rev. Bob Kuehner and Kim Kuehner
Justin Chester, left, Kay Kay, Sheila Chester, Taylor Kay and Scott Kay
A hippo at dinnertime
Teahya, left, Wyatt and Tara Burnham and Robin Burnham
The carousel in motion
Emersyn, one of the youngest visitors
Caleb and Tristan Barclay with Landon, Melayna and Emersyn
The zoo train
Karen and Doug Hanson ,left, Chris and Amy Johnson with Cassidy
Past President: Mike Porter; Chair: Keith LaShier; Secretary: Alana Hankins; Vice-Chair Finance: Will Schippers; Vice-Chair Resource Development: Jennifer Bick; Vice-Chair Board Development: Keith Hedstrom; Vice-Chair Program Services: Ann Hultquist