Beleaguered Saint John zoo receives $21.5K from 100 Women Who Care

Saint John's beleaguered Cherry Brook Zoo has received a $21,500 donation from the local chapter of the philanthropic group, 100 Women Who Care.

The decision, announced Tuesday night, comes on the heels of the city slashing the zoo's funding by about $40,000.

"The fight isn't over, but this could not come at a better time," the zoo posted on Twitter late Wednesday afternoon.

• 'Not my Saint John': Cherry Brook Zoo cuts lead to uproar
• Saint John council to decide financial future of zoo

The Saint John chapter of the 100 Women Who Care group meets four times a year to hear five-minute presentations from three local non-profit groups. Each of the now 220 members donates $100, with the proceeds going to the successful presenter.

Martha McDevitt, executive director of theCherry Brook Zoo, delivered its pitch Tuesday night.

The other presentations were by Elaine Stewart, executive director of Second Stage Housing/Safe Haven,and Whitney Walls, chair of the youth advisory committee for theKV Oasis Youth Centre.

Saint John councilvoted Feb. 6 to reduce the zoo's fundingto $10,000 from $50,000, enough to pay its 2017 property tax bill, but no operating costs.

The decision was based on a recommendation by the city's community grantscommittee.

The zoo was one of 14organizations that were not approved for funding. Sixteen groups received a combined total of more than $129,000.