A mother-son duo came up with a brilliant way to recycle old milk jugs, cardboard newspapers while helping to enrich the lives of animals at Keystone Safari in Mercer County.

Carol Warner, director of resident programming at The Addison of Lowrie Place in Butler Township, organized a drive to collect the recycled items earlier this month and her son, Cole Warner, lead zookeeper at Keystone Safari, picked them up.

Cole Warner said the items will be used to make puzzles for the animals and the jugs will be scented and hidden so the animals can search for them. Smaller animals, like hedgehogs, will climb on some of the things they make.

Keystone Safari animals get enrichment experiences every day and those activities range from playing with plastic bottles, jugs, cardboard trays and boxes.

In return, Cole Warner brings animals to meet the senior residents at The Addison from time to time.

Carol Warner said the effort was part of the home’s “Purposeful Projects,” which help residents get involved and continue to participate in meaningful activities.

This is a great example of a mutually beneficial relationship because a zoo and a senior living community aren’t necessarily the first two things you would think of working together. But, in this case, it benefits everyone involved, especially the animals.

Often when seniors move into community living spaces or assisted living facilities, they lose touch with the volunteer work or charitable efforts they’ve long held dear. The Addison makes sure seniors continue to be part of making their community better.

The bonus of getting to meet cuddly creatures from time to time is a great way to spread joy throughout the seniors living there.

What a great partnership.

— KL