Ross Park Zoo volunteer 'like a kid in a candy store' at themed events

Maybe you’ve seen Janelle Gennarelli of Binghamton hopping around the grounds dressed as the Easter Bunny at the Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton .

Or maybe you saw her around Christmastime when she played Mrs. Claus. Or you may have seen her helping visitors toss bean bags and play other games during special events at the zoo.

“I love it,” she said. “Giving back to the community is the best thing you could ever do.”

Gennarelli is one of approximately 230 volunteers at the zoo who do everything from giving educational talks and zoo tours, gardening and scooping ice cream at events such as Sundae Safari , said Kathy Whyte, the zoo’s volunteer coordinator.

“In addition to what I call ‘my regulars,’ we have a constantly changing list of helpers who may come as a group for a team-building project, an individual for a post-retirement activity or even some individuals exploring what might suit them in the work world,” Whyte said. “There are some volunteers who participate in just one assignment but many find themselves returning for additional projects and camaraderie.”

The zoo relies on volunteers and is grateful for all the help they provide, she said.

“As with all nonprofits, the Ross Park Zoo depends on volunteer help to keep a handle on labor expenses when possible,” Whyte said. “I don’t mind bragging, just a little bit, about the support the Twin Tiers community shows its Ross Park Zoo by people stepping up to help make our events successful, the grounds a haven for native flora and fauna and helping to provide that personal connection between people and animals that cultivates a commitment to preserving and protecting our fragile world.”

Gennarelli was one of the first new volunteers to come on board when Whyte became the zoo’s volunteer coordinator back in March 2023, she said.

“She signed up to do whatever we needed at Eggstravaganza and literally 'jumped' into the role of the Easter Bunny, volunteering to do multiple shifts,” Whyte said of Gennarelli. “Her enthusiasm, love of animals and obvious joy of working with people really carried over into our next big event that year, the big grand opening celebration that spanned over four days of the Memorial Day weekend.”

For Gennarelli, volunteering at the zoo is a labor of love. A Binghamton native, she has fond memories of visiting the zoo as a child. She still enjoys coming to the zoo as an adult and a volunteer.

“It’s like a kid in a candy store, just coming and having a great time,” she said. “I love walking around the zoo and looking at the animals.”

Gennarelli enjoys the reaction she gets from children when she plays Mrs. Claus, the Easter Bunny or other volunteer roles at the zoo, she said.

“I love watching the smiles on their faces,” she said.

One of the perks of volunteering at the zoo is the appreciation and thanks she gets, especially from her young fans.

While playing Mrs. Claus last winter, Gennarelli met a little boy who painted her a picture of a snowman and a penguin.

It’s still hanging on her refrigerator more than six months later.

More: Building community, spreading joy through volunteering at Binghamton urban farm

More about Janelle Gennarelli

Home and Hometown: Binghamton. She now lives on the city’s East Side.

Career: Works for the East Middle School cafeteria

Family: Husband, Michael; two grown children

How to help: To volunteer for the Ross Park Zoo, go to rossparkzoo.org/volunteer/ or visit rossparkzoo.org/donate/ to donate.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Ross Park Zoo volunteer 'like a kid in a candy store' at themed events