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Jungle Terry bolsters interest in Pioneer Club
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Jungle Terry (left) invited Lily Connelly (right) on stage to give a big hug to his albino skunk, Snowy.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Although everyone had a chance to pet Jungle Terry's (left) animal friends, only a few lucky guests were invited to get a hands-on look at the critters. Jillian Phillips (right) was invited to hold a chinchilla in her hands on Nov. 16.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Jungle Terry (back) offered Robin Zedaker the chance to ride on the back of an African tortoise. Jungle Terry assured the crowd that the ride would not hurt his tortoise at all.
By SARAH FOOR
“Jungle Terry” Sullivan visited Poland Presbyterian Church on Nov. 16 to help garner excitement for a children’s organization that will be hosted at the church starting this January.
Pioneer Club is a church-sponsored club where boys and girls build healthy relationships with adults, peers and their faith through lessons, events, games and earning badges for their accomplishments. Pioneer Club offers activities from ages 4 to 12 and membership to the club is open to any child in the community.
The new club was sponsored by church member Leslie Phillips.
“I see our Pioneer Club as a chance to deepen the self-worth of our members and teach them new skills. When our club is up and running, I’m excited to help local kids grow and include God in their lives,” Phillips said.
The always-entertaining trainer and handler “Jungle Terry” presented his menagerie of wild animals on Nov. 16.
Sullivan told stories about his pets and let a group of young Poland residents feel chinchilla fur, porcupine quills, and snake skin during his presentation.
Curious parents attending the event also ventured up to feel the texture of Sullivan’s most unique animals, like a tarantula and a prairie dog.
The event closed with a Pioneer Club information session. The first Pioneer Club meeting will be on Jan. 11 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Kids interested in joining can call the church office at 330-757-1547 and request a Pioneer Club registration form.