July 1 – August 2

Join the Virginia Zoo in supporting Big Homies Inc, Reck League, and S.T.A.R. Haven with our School Supplies/Coat Donation Drive from July 1 to August 2! For every donation* made from the list below (or the monetary equivalent), you will be entered into a raffle to win** one of three WILD prizes:

– a Virginia Zoo Household Plus Membership (valued at $159),
– one (1) week of Zoo Safari Camp for one child (valued at $375),
– or one (1) Behind-the-Scenes Animal Tour (valued at $300).

Donations can be dropped off at the Virginia Zoo’s Membership Office daily from 9:30am-4pm.

Prefer to make a monetary donation? Those count towards the drawing, too! Click here to give.

Donate Here!

*All donated school supply items must be BRAND NEW with the original tags or packaging. All donated coats must be new (with tags) or CLEAN and gently used.

**The drawing for prizes will take place at our End of Summer Bash event at the Virginia Zoo on Saturday, August 2nd (you do not need to be present to win).

Small Items = 1 entry

  • Pens (blue or black) – box/pack of up to 60
  • Pencils – box/pack up to 40
  • Colored pencils – pack of up to 24
  • Highlighters – pack of 4
  • Dry erase markers (black) – pack of 4
  • 3 Three ring binder
  • Loose leaf paper – 2 packs
  • Post-it notes – 8-12 pads
  • 3 Composition notebook
  • 3 Glue Sticks (as a pack or individual)
  • 2 Compasses for Geometry (8th grade)
  • 1 pair of ear buds (2nd grade & up)
  • 6 Plastic pocket folders with brads
  • 24 pack of crayons
  • Kids scissors – 3 pack
  • 3 Tissue boxes
  • 1 pair of headphones
  • Pencil cap erasers – Package of 50-144
  • Plastic Dividers – 1 package

Medium Items = 2 entries

  • 1 Backpack
  • 2 Small Items
  • Clean, gently used Coats

Large Items = 5 entries

  • 2 or more backpacks
  • 4 Small Items
  • New Coats (with tags)

About the Organizations

Big Homies Inc: Big H.O.M.I.E.S. offers a sanctuary for youth at their recreation center, fostering a safe environment free of gun violence. They provide educational programs, wellness activities, and intervention services, ensuring a holistic approach to youth development and safety.

Reck League: Our mission is to empower individuals in under resourced communities with tools to enhance their quality of life and create sustainable change for themselves, their families, and the community. Through our youth-led social initiatives,  we strive to promote positive intervention, resource allocation and behavior modification that disrupts social stigmas producing positive futures in the process.

S.T.A.R. Haven: Our objective is to improve lives of others by meeting their needs and providing a safe and healthy environment so they can thrive. We serve by reducing homelessness, providing quality, safe, affordable and efficient living.