First-graders see lions, tigers at zoo with DU

Twenty-two Lee Elementary School first-graders got a chance to experience nature Monday. The children were escorted to the Philadelphia Zoo by 11 members of the Delta Upsilon fraternity who volunteer at Lee as part of their chapter's philanthropy project. First-grader David Woolfolk said he was excited to take the field trip because he would be able to see his favorite animal: a lion. For many of the children this was their first trip to the zoo. Despite the crowds of other Philadelphia area students that flock to the zoo on Mondays when the admission is free, the children were able to see wild animals like lions, tigers, elephants and monkeys. The "brothers," as the children affectionately call them, have been working in conjunction with Lee for the past five years, according to first grade teacher Judy Hollaender. Two different brothers visit the classroom every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The brothers play learning games with the children, such as math and spelling bingo. The fraternity also hosts several parties for the children at their house each year. "The kids love the brothers [because they are willing] to take time with them," Hollaender said. She stressed the value of the relationships formed between the DU brothers and the children because "one thing they say may influence [the kids] for their whole lives." DU Philanthropy Chair Adam Wilson, a Daily Pennsylvanian artist, said the volunteer work is rewarding because "only an hour of time every two weeks or so can make such a difference." "They don't ask for much, so anything you give them is greatly appreciated," the College junior added. College sophomore Mike Berman said he enjoys working with the children because he is "cynical" about the world and "the only place you can start to make people good is at the beginning." Hollaender said she came up with the idea of going to the zoo because it is "a place that these kids don't usually get a chance to go to." She said she was confident that the brothers would make it "the best day possible" for the children because they are still "young at heart" themselves.