Tonight – the prized stuffed gorillas will be given out to winners of United Way’s Koko Challenge!
The Bay Area legal community, in their “class action against poverty,” has been raising money for United Way’s poverty-cutting programs over the last few months as part of the Challenge.
Top competitors receive Koko gorilla stuffed animals which they proudly display in their offices throughout the year. There is a “Big Koko,” a “Little Koko,” and a “Baby Koko” award, based on the size of the winning law firms. Additionally, the leading employee campaign coordinator gets the “Top Banana” prize.
The stuffed gorillas stay at the winners’ offices during the year until next year’s winners are announced and the gorillas move on from firm to firm, just like the Miss America crown. This has been going on for 24 years with more the 50 Bay Area law firms raising more than $26 million to cut poverty.
To see some of the antics surrounding Koko, take a peek at our photos!
WHO’S KOKO?
Maybe you remember Koko – the famous gorilla who learned sign language. She astonished the world. But what does a gorilla have to do with United Way?
It all started 24 years ago when the Bay Area legal community decided to team with United Way of the Bay Area to raise money to combat poverty. The lawyers created the “Koko Challenge” drawing on friendly competition and a playful mascot to inspire volunteerism and fundraising.
Koko was chosen as the challenge’s mascot because the challenge’s creators felt that a whimsical theme would be a welcome break from the serious work of lawyering. A participating lawyer from a toy manufacturer that made a plush version of Koko suggested the gorilla, and the “Koko Challenge” was born.
Whimsy gave way to fierce competition amongst the law firms. Within a few years, participation rose dramatically, and contributions grew from $200,000 to more than a million.
Over the last 24 years, more than 50 Bay Area law firms have contributed more than $26 million as part of the Koko Challenge. Funds go towards United Way’s vital poverty-cutting programs.
This year’s Koko Challenge has been filled with all kinds of antics from people wearing gorilla suits to stuffed gorillas making their way around town. The Challenge wraps up this week, and winners will be announced.
View the Koko Challenge Kickoff photos!
