Bank on it!

 The piggy bank’s origin dates back to around the 15^th century when peope were crafting useful items, including dishes and jars made out of pygg, a type of orange clay, to hold spare change. Around the 18^th century, people realized the word “pygg” was pronounced the same as the animal “pig.” People began to form “pygg” into the shape of a “pig” to hold spare change, and the piggy bank was born. 

In a new take on the piggy bank, we’re shaping it into an elephant. The white elephant banks are a blank canvas, allowing your inner Picasso to come out and shine. A photograph of your original artwork will be part of a one-of-a-kind art installation in the Encounter Africa exhibit, allowing you to be a part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s largest project ever. The exhibit features new homes for our elephant herd, African lion pride, meerkats, and the critically endangered black rhinoceros.

Follow these three easy steps and Bank on it!

Step 1: Visit any one of 17 U.S. Bank branches in Southern Colorado to get your very own elephant bank with just a $50 donation. You can also find the banks at the zoo’s front gate (open daily 9am to 4pm) or on-line (shipping & handling fees apply).

Step 2: The bank is yours to keep, so make it your own by decorating it. Don’t forget to email a photo of your bank to bankonit@cmzoo.org for inclusion in the one-of-a-kind art installation. All photos must be received by April 1, 2012.

Step 3: Fill ‘er up! Make an elephant-sized impact by adding to your donation. We’ll gladly accept any additional money saved in your bank at the front gates of the zoo.

For more information on the Bank on it! Program visit www.cmzoo.org/BankOnIt.