Pennies, nickels and dimes aren't necessarily chump change.
Sometimes, they're chimp change.
Summit County youngsters poured out their hearts — and their piggy banks — in 1957 to bring a major attraction to the Akron Children's Zoo at Perkins Woods.
At the request of park officials, the Beacon Journal spearheaded a fundraising campaign to buy a ''real live performing'' chimpanzee for the menagerie now known as the Akron Zoo. Founded in 1953 with one cage and two bears, the zoo has grown into today's 50-acre complex with more than 700 animals.
Its early inhabitants weren't as exotic as the Humboldt penguins, Komodo dragons and Sumatran tigers of modern times.
''There are rabbits, ducks, alligators, turtles, pigs, deer, bears, buffaloes, coyotes — and even kangaroos — but not one of the most playful, fun-giving animals in the world — a chimpanzee — in the Akron Children's Zoo,'' the Beacon Journal noted in establishing the Mr. Chimp Fund in April 1957.
The newspaper set a goal of $600 (about $4,800 today) to purchase an African chimp that fund organizers described as ''a real friendly animal'' that ''learns tricks easily'' and ''is a great pal.''
No donation was too small.
Promoters asked children to mail pennies, nickels or dimes to the Beacon Journal or drop off coins in person at the newspaper's front counter. If parents or other adults wanted to give a little money, that was fine, too.
Through movies and TV programs, Akron children were familiar with the antics of famous chimps such as Bonzo, Cheeta and J. Fred Muggs. The prospect of seeing a mischievous ape in Akron sounded really neat-o.
A great jangling began.
Kids checked their pockets, shook their piggy banks and asked parents for change. They stopped at the Beacon Journal, sometimes dropping off a penny or two. Cub Scouts, Brownies, school clubs and church groups organized collections.
The newspaper published daily lists of donors. Some of the children included notes with their contributions, including messages such as these:
• ''I would like to send you three dimes that should go in my bank. I want a chimp in our zoo, so I'll give it to you.''
— Dawn Kay Kupris,
1915 Hollis St.
• ''Here is my weekly 25-cent allowance my mother gives me. I'm sending it to help to get the chimp for the zoo.''
— Linda Ann Unk,
172 Cedar St.
• ''I was going to buy some candy with this money, but I thought it would be much more fun to help the Children's Zoo than to buy any kind of candy.''
— Edmund Blower,
593 Mineola Ave.
• ''Mr. Chimp: I've seen some of your relatives in other zoos and always enjoyed watching them. I think it would be fine to see you in our zoo.''
— Ellen Holloway,
909 Greenwood Ave.
The response overwhelmed organizers of the Mr. Chimp Fund. Envelopes flooded the newspaper from 14 states and even a few foreign countries. Some children even mailed peanuts for the chimp to eat.
The $600 goal was surpassed within a few weeks, and still coins arrived daily. The fundraiser ended after a month with a grand total of $1,054.
''You've done it, kids!'' the Beacon Journal cheered.
Children were invited to the zoo May 12 to witness the arrival of Joe Coco, a 21/2-year-old, 21-pound chimp from Liberia.
A mug shot of the furry star appeared on the cover of the Beacon Journal's Sunday Roto magazine. Children were invited to keep the page as a poster.
A record crowd of 8,400 attended the welcoming reception on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon. Dressed in a little suit with a bow tie and suspenders, the chimpanzee arrived in the back of a convertible led by a police escort. Beacon Journal promotions director Ralph Iula presented the chimp to the zoo staff.
The audience went ape.
''Everyone connected with the Children's Zoo is deeply appreciative for the wonderful response and cooperation with the Beacon Journal in raising the funds to bring Joe Coco here,'' Akron Service Director Leo Walter told the crowd.
''It is only through the warm-hearted support of the children in this area, who sent their pennies, nickels and dimes to the newspaper, that an addition like Joe can be made to the zoo.''
Hundreds gathered around the chimpanzee's habitat and watched as the wary newcomer scaled a ladder, swung on bars, climbed a pole, swatted a ball and munched on peanuts.
''The weather and Joe combined to give us the finest day we've ever had,'' Superintendent Richard Barnhardt told the newspaper.
Akron Mayor Leo Berg proclaimed June 10-14 as Joe Coco Week. Children were admitted to the zoo for free in appreciation of their fundraising efforts.
The chimp helped boost 1957 attendance to more than 121,000 visitors — about 50,000 more than the previous year.
''I give all the credit to Joe Coco and to the Beacon Journal for conducting the campaign that brought him here,'' Barnhardt said. ''We've had a marvelous year.''
Behind the scenes, though, there were concerns.
Joe Coco could be a miserable little beast.
The chimpanzee was as cute as could be, but his personality was sour. He didn't like interacting with people or being the subject of attention, and he increasingly fought with handlers.
Trainer Don Waddington tried to teach Joe Coco a few tricks over the winter to entertain children. On the zoo's opening day in 1958, the gruff chimp had a tantrum and refused to ride on the back of a donkey.
Joe became a second banana the following summer.
In July 1959, the zoo introduced Suzy, a 1-year-old, 14-pound chimp who was outgoing and playful. She enjoyed being around humans, grinned at children and didn't mind being held. Suzy wore dresses and bonnets and was so docile that she rode in a convertible in the All-American Soap Box Derby parade.
Naturally, Joe Coco took an instant dislike to her. He gradually faded into the background as Suzy became the zoo's star.
It probably wasn't too surprising in January 1963, when the zoo announced that its original chimpanzee had left the zoo to pursue ''a career in medicine.''
Joe Coco was sold to the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare and shipped to Bethesda, Md., to undergo ''tests in connection with research in neurological diseases and blindness.'' Zoo officials said he was ''happy and well cared for.''
''Joe had reached the age of being just a bit too much to handle at the Children's Zoo,'' the Beacon Journal reported. ''When chimps become 5 or so, they may be as strong as four men. . . .
''While Joe Coco gave many thousands pleasure over the years, he's in a position to contribute something important to medical research.''
And just like that, he was gone. Goodbye, Mr. Chimp.
Mark J. Price is a Beacon Journal copy editor. He can be reached at 330-996-3850 or send email to mjprice@thebeaconjournal.com.
