At Wednesday's Member Appreciation Picnic for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, checks were presented to the Lehigh Valley Zoo and the Walnutport Canal Association.

The picnic was held at the pavilion at the Walnutport canal. Present were chamber members and local businesses including Bechtel's, Steckel and Stopp, The Neff's National Bank, Rentschler car dealership and more.The event was held from 5:30-8 p.m. and was meant to give thanks to the chamber members and recognize local businesses.The funds awarded, one for $380 to the zoo and the other $1,000 for the canal association, were raised through fundraising and volunteer efforts throughout the year."We want to thank them for their continued support," said chamber President Nancy Treskot, "These are people who know how to volunteer."Boy Scout leaders, Rotarians and Slatington Mayor Walter Niedermeyer were among those attending.The money for the zoo was raised at an event in June called Uncorked for Conservation, which took place in conjunction with ESSA bank in New Tripoli.The Canal Association money was raised from a basket social at the Spirit Award Banquet. The Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation also gave the Association a $2,000 grant to finish the gazebo in the park.The money in the zoo was used to break ground for a giraffe exhibit. The zoo is bringing two giraffes, expected in late fall or early spring because the giraffes cannot be transported in the winter."We've seen a great outpour from the community so far," said Doreen Carl, development manager at Lehigh Valley Zoo.There is a barn built that is temperature controlled so visitors can see the animals even when it's cold out.This is only the first step in a process the zoo is doing to upgrade the Africa exhibit. They hope to bring lions and other animals.The 2016 Businesses of the Month were also named: Client 1st Financial, Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, Professional Landscape Associates, S&G Asphalt Services, Willow Tree Grove, Doodie Calls, Ironton Telephone, Cruise Planners - Wes & Debbie Minnich, The Walnutport Canal Association, and the John Yurconic Insurance Agency.Anniversaries for local businesses were also recognized including Becky's Drive-In Theatre, celebrating 70 years.