"The check will be for $440," she said.

Little River Zoo director and co-founder Janet Sadler said $440 will help the zoo tremendously.

"Four hundred dollars can buy food for the animals and keep them healthy and safe throughout the winter," Sadler said. "That is primarily our focus."

Sadler said almost 400 animals from 100 species call the zoo home.

"It is the neatest thing in the world when kids on their own will make such an effort to take care of something outside themselves and help someone," she said. "It reminds us why we're here."

Sadler said during winter months, people don't visit the zoo as often as they do when the weather is warmer. Believe it or not, the animals miss the attention and interaction with humans.

"Animals are human socialized and enjoy the interaction with people," she said. "We can tell a difference in their behavior. They look forward to the interaction with guests."

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com