BILLLINGS, Mont.–Approximately 20 representatives from Valley Credit Union here were offered an up-close look at two young bison at ZooMontana as a way to thank the CU for a large donation supporting an exhibit.
Valley Credit Union has donated $70,000 to the bison exhibit at ZooMontana, a four-acre area that seeks to tell the story of the natural history of the North American plains. The exhibit will open to the public later this month.
During a ceremony here, Dara Card, CEO of Valley CU, presented the zoo with an oversized check representing its most recent $25,000 donation.
“I couldn’t be happier that Valley was able to play a part in making sure Montanans young and old are able to encounter and learn about these majestic animals that are an intrinsic part of our country’s history,” said Card, who is also a ZooMontana board member.
During the event the Valley CU employees were able to meet and feed two bison, Bert, a one-year-old male, and Nellie, a six-month-old female, in their holding pens.
Separate Donation Made
Separately, Valley CU also made a $25,000 donation to the Alberta Bair Theater’s “Capital Campaign” fund that will be used towards their upcoming remodel of the facility. During the school year, the theater runs the Student Matinee Series, which provides discounted matinees for students and schools in the area.
For the past five years and continuing into the future, Valley CU has been the major sponsor of the Student Matinee Series, providing funds that help bring in the acts for the performances and bus all the kids to Alberta Bair for each show.
“Our community is the reason we do what we do. We want to give back and show our gratitude to those in our community and show them our support. We were more than excited to be able to make these donations,” said Matt Macrow, marketing coordinator of Valley CU.