TUMAINI – nicknamed Tumi – is the name of the life-size bronze giraffe who recently moved into Haddonfield (NJ)’s Children’s Sculpture Zoo. The winning name means “hope” in Swahili and was selected by the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST)’s board for its meaning in these challenging times. With more than 200 names submitted, the winner is 11-year-old Elizabeth Asher, who will be entering sixth grade at Haddonfield Middle School in the fall, pictured above second from left, with her prize of a family package of tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo. Also pictured are (from left): Paul Szkotak, whose family donated the sculpture; HOST founder and Chair Stuart Harting; Lilah Mallemat, also 11, another Haddonfield Middle Schooler who submitted the runner-up name “Peanut Butter” and received a stuffed giraffe; and Haddonfield Mayor Neal Rochford.
Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST) is a nonprofit 501c3 public/private educational initiative bringing traditional and contemporary works to the downtown district. Since 2013, HOST has installed more than two dozen sculptures by prominent, internationally-recognized artists. Some works are on loan or lease; some are available for purchase. HOST receives no public funds and relies on the generosity of individuals such as the Szkotak family which donated the life-size giraffe. More at www.HaddonfieldSculpture.org.
