Some people visit the Zoo. Others become part of its heartbeat. Kathy and Steve Ragsdale are the kind of supporters whose love for wildlife has woven itself into every chapter of their lives, and their story shows what happens when a family grows up alongside a mission.

Their journey began in 1982 with a simple family membership and a toddler named Katie who could not get enough of the animals. Those early visits turned into something far deeper. Before long, the Zoo was where milestones were celebrated and where memories took root. Katie became a Zoo Aide throughout high school. Their oldest, Lara, still makes the Zoo and The Wilds part of every visit home. What started as family outings eventually became a legacy.

When Kathy retired, she wanted her time to matter. She chose the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium because it had already shaped so much of her family’s life. She became an Adult Volunteer in 2013, then a Docent in 2014, and quickly grew into a trusted partner for our Animal Care teams. She has supported Shores, participated in birth watches, and stepped in wherever an extra set of caring hands was needed. Steve has stood beside her through it all. Together, they show what it looks like when compassion becomes action.

They joined us on several behind-the-scenes tours, where they met a sloth, shared a moment with sleek and powerful cheetahs, and smiled as a capybara wandered over with curiosity. For Kathy and Steve, these encounters are reminders of why they give. For our team, the light in their eyes is a reminder of why donor support truly matters.

Ask Steve about his favorite place in the Zoo and he will proudly tell you North America Trek. He has watched the newly-transformed and beloved region evolve into a breathtaking experience. Ask Kathy, and she will tell you her favorite place is wherever she is standing. It is impossible not to smile at that. Her love for this place is generous, wholehearted, and quietly powerful.

The Ragsdales believe the Columbus Zoo strengthens Central Ohio in ways that go far beyond a single visit. They see how families come together here. They notice the out of state guests who travel because they fell in love with the TV series Secrets of the Zoo. They understand how hotels, restaurants, and local businesses thrive because people choose to spend their time here. To them, the Zoo is a  source of pride for the entire region.

But the heart of their giving is conservation. They support the Zoo and The Wilds because they want to be part of work that protects life. Manatees recovering through the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. Elephants supported through the Center for Species Survival. Bison safeguarded through the North American Center for Bison Conservation.

These programs speak to who Kathy and Steve are at their core. They are helpers. They are protectors. They believe people can make the world better through consistent, thoughtful support.

When you ask them what the Zoo means to their lives, their answer is simple: It has enriched everything. The tours. The volunteer shifts. The Lantern Festival. Wildlights traditions. Quiet moments on a favorite path. Shared joy with family.

The Zoo and The Wilds create memories for them the same way it does for thousands of others. The difference is that Kathy and Steve give so the next family can feel what they felt when they first walked through our gates.

Supporters like the Ragsdales keep conservation alive. They keep endangered species thriving. They keep our mission moving forward, day after day, animal after animal.

Their story is a reminder of what your gift can do. It creates hope. It builds community. It protects the living world for the people you love and the generations yet to come.

And just like Kathy and Steve, your support truly empowers people and saves wildlife.