Sunshine Award Winner: Houston Zoo Store

You can see Texas Medical Center’s Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital from the Houston Zoo landscape. Walking across the street with carts of plushies to cheer up sick children is easier than loading them into a van. Houston Zoo Store is literally close to its mission to provide the highest standard of care to its animals and community.

During the most recent holiday season, the Houston Zoo Store’s Love One, Give One campaign through SSA Group donated 1,876 plush toys to children at the hospital.

“The small stuff really does matter, and we try to do that in every way.” — Bennie Schuchart

“This is by far our largest fundraiser,” says Bennie Schuchart, general manager of retail and hospitality operations at the zoo.

Children were gifted with favorite zoo plush, including capybara, red pandas, baby elephants, jaguars and giraffes. Houston Zoo Store offers eco-friendly plushies from Wild Republic as well as Aurora Toys.

With vibrant signage, training for staff to promote the cause and discounted plushies, the store set a zoo record for the charitable campaign.

The little-big things

In addition to signage, Houston Zoo Store leveraged a high-traffic season for the campaign when temps are cooler, says Schuchart. Store staff members were trained to talk about the giveback plushies as well.

Initiatives like the plush donation program inspire other ways for Houston Zoo to give back. Staff members help with events like beach cleanups, Schuchart says.

“I’ve learned so much about what happens behind the scenes for the animals and environment, from the way we compost to reduce waste to being one of the first zoos to not allow any plastic,” he says.

Schuchart adds, “The small stuff really does matter, and we try to do that in every way.”

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Sunshine Awards recognize retail stores in our industry that are making a difference through
charitable donations and efforts. Is your store worthy of an award? We’d love to hear from you! Complete an entry form at www.sgnmag.com/sunshine-award.