CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in collaboration with PNC Bank is excited to officially kick-off the PNC “Grow Up Great” Pre-K Book Drive, which takes place December 6 - December 13 during the PNC Festival of Lights. To help jump-start the program, the Zoo will donate over 4,600 children’s books, which will be given to children in local Head Start programs.

“We are once again proud to team up with PNC and hope this donation will encourage other organizations and individuals to give back to the community this holiday season,” said Thane Maynard, Executive Director, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.  “For each new, unwrapped, children’s book you donate, the Cincinnati Zoo will give you a FREE ticket (up to four tickets) to the Zoo to be used on a return visit.”

 “The 4,600 book donation from the Cincinnati Zoo launches this program to a whole new level,” said, Kay Geiger, President, Ohio/N. Kentucky - PNC Bank. “In the past two years this program has collected approximately 1,200 books from the generous Cincinnati community and this additional donation will truly give the gift of make-believe to thousands of Tri-state Head Start children, setting them on a course of life-long learning.”

Funded by the PNC Foundation, PNC Grow Up Great is a 10-year, $100 million investment to help prepare children, from birth to age 5, for success in school and in life. The initiative is the most comprehensive corporate-based school readiness program in the nation committed to helping produce stronger, smarter and healthier children, families and communities.

The Zoo is also extending a special discount offer to guests who may come to PNC Festival of Lights, but do not have a book. They will receive 10% off any regular-priced book intended for donation in each of the Zoo’s gift shops.

Books can be dropped off in the Zoo’s main entry in designated bins staffed by PNC Bank volunteers. Visitors donating a book will receive a free ticket, up to four total based on number of books donated, to be used for a return visit anytime from January 5 through March 30. Books should be appropriate for kids, ages birth to 5 years. (The PNC Grow Up Great Book Drive is an initiative made possible by PNC Bank, a member of The PNC Financial Services Group.)  For additional information, visit www.cincinnatizoo.org.

The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey.  It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of "The 10 Best Zoos for Kids."  Over one million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta (AABGA), and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide.