Legacy Society: Making a Difference Today and in the Future
Working the Land . . .
Loving the Animals . . .
Leaving a Legacy . . .
From an early age, Bill knew what he most wanted to do: be outside, create gardens and grow vegetables, help his neighbors, and care for the animals by contributing to the Zoo.
During a visit to Stone Zoo as a child, Bill was captivated by Major the polar bear, the largest land carnivore in the world. Bill knew that Major needed help. At age sixteen, he started his first job at a local farm, and began sending $25 to the Zoo each month. As Stone Zoo faced challenging times in the 1990’s, Bill created a will and named the Zoo as a beneficiary, to help ensure that Major and the Zoo would have what was needed long-term.
For nearly six decades, Bill worked on the land―as a property manager and groundskeeper during the week, and at a local farm on weekends and holidays―and made time for “volunteer jobs.” Now retired, Bill is as busy as ever, beautifying and maintaining trails, parks, gardens, and traffic islands, and distributing food at monthly Mobile Markets. In 2023, he received the “Golden Deeds” volunteer award for the second time, for all he does for the community.
Endeared by her large brown eyes and gentle demeanor, Sengi the yak is now Bill’s favorite animal. He delights in ensuring that she has the food and enrichment she needs, and a larger habitat and new barn this spring! As Sengi’s biggest fan, Ralph William Rogers, Jr., or “Uncle Bill,” hopes that you might join him as a Zoo New England Legacy Society member and come visit Sengi in her new habitat this spring!
Join the Legacy Society by including Zoo New England as a beneficiary in your will or estate plan. Learn about charitable arrangements that could save capital gains tax on a highly appreciated asset during your lifetime. We look forward to hearing from you! Please contact our Development Office at (617) 379-5190 or development@zoonewengland.org.
