Zoo To Do 2023 Adventure Awaits Celebrated the Host Committee at Bachendorf’s in Preston Center

(Featured photo: Roger and Marena Gault, Host Committee and Party Chairs; Lawrence Bock, owner and host, Bachendorf’s.)

The Zoo To Do 2023 Adventure Awaits Host Committee chairs Marena and Roger Gault celebrated the Host Committee at a champagne reception hosted by Lawrence Bock at Bachendorf’s in Preston Center.
        
Dawn Moore, Dallas Zoo’s board chair, welcomed the crowd as they enjoyed eyeing the fabulous watch collections and designer jewelry showcased throughout the shop, noshing on the fabulous hors d’oeuvres provided by Sevy’s Grill, and thanked Lawrence for hosting tonight’s event. She also paid tribute to The Eugene McDermott Foundation as presenting sponsor of Zoo To Do, Lyda Hill as Honorary Chair, and a special thanks went to Cindy Gummer, who helped organize the party.

Zoo To Do 2023 chairs Steven J. Roth and Thai-lan Tran said that fundraising is well underway and, thanks to the committee’s strong efforts, it is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Thai-Ian shared their son’s story of how going to the Dallas Zoo and enjoying all that the Zoo has to offer has helped him grow. Surrounded by beautiful baubles, Thai also encouraged attendees to come to Zoo To Do for the “other” four Cs: Cuisine, Cocktails, Conservation and Celebration.

Lawrence said how much of a fan he and his family are of the Dallas Zoo and that they have been supporting the nonprofit since 1982. He encouraged other businesses to do so, as well.

Slated for Saturday, November 4, Zoo To Do is a major source of funding for the nonprofit Dallas Zoo, bringing in more than $1 million each year to help support the Zoo’s dedication to provide the best animal care, deliver unique education offerings, and strengthen its wildlife conservation efforts.

Joining in the soirée were Fallon Bock, Cindy Gummer, Diane Brierley, Kim and Greg Hext, Michael Meadows; Sean Greene, Executive Vice President of Park Operations and Chief Operating Officer; Harrison Edell, Executive Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation and Chief Mission Officer and more, including Kruger, a Eurasian eagle owl, courtesy of the Dallas Zoo’s Animal Adventures Outreach program.  

The Zoo To Do experience features more than 30 of Dallas’ standout restaurants as guests enjoy a strolling dinner around the Giants of the Savanna habitat, with cocktails and small bites. All the while, they can enjoy the beautiful Zoo setting, experience close-up animal encounters, and browse the Big Board and silent auction. As the night progresses, the fun moves into the Wilds of Africa Plaza where guests can satisfy their sweet tooth with bite-sized desserts and other treats. The rousing live auction gives guests a chance to bid on rare Zoo experiences, travel, and more. And then partygoers can take to the dance floor to close out the night with music and dancing!

Committee members include Advisory Committee chairs, Diane Brierley, Marena Gault, Cindy Gummer and Kim Hext;Underwriting Committee chairs Alex Arellano and Ryan Gummer; Live Auction Committee chairs Diane and Hal Brierley, Grace Cook and Mary McDermott Cook; Big Board chair, Cindy Gummer; Silent Auction Committee chair, Chuck Steelman; Raffle Committee chairs Claudia Lode and Preston Hext; Wine Guys, Greg Hext, Preston Hext, Matthew Meadows and Michael Meadows; Honorary Chef Dan Landsberg; Chef Wrangler, Brett Krafft;and Chef Recruiter, Jimmy Contreras.

Current Zoo To Do sponsors include American Airlines, official Zoo To Do Airline; Truist Bank, Valet sponsor; My Sweet Charity, Online Media sponsor; PaperCity, Magazine Media sponsor; Tiff’s Treats, Party Favor sponsor; SSA Group, Chef sponsor; and Bachendorf’s, Host Committee Reception sponsor.
        

Choose your Safari Chic attire and join in the fun to support the Dallas Zoo! Underwriting levels range from $7,500 to $100,000. Ticket packages include a VIP ticket at $1,500 per person or an individual ticket at $750 per person. NEW this year is the $2,500 Conservation Hero Package, which includes a VIP ticket, Patron Party invite, and a $1,000 contribution to the Dallas Zoo. Visit the website for more details at DallasZoo.com/ZooToDo and be sure to follow the event’s new Instagram account @dallaszootodo.

About the Dallas Zoo: The Dallas Zoo is dedicated to Creating a Better World for Animals. Named one of the nation’s Top 10 Zoos by USA Today, it is the largest zoological experience in Texas. The zoo has been accredited continuously by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums since 1985, and features a 106- acre park, more than 2,000 animals, and an education department that offers programs for all ages. The zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35 at Marsalis) and is open seven days a week (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. currently), 364 days a year. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500.

Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent Zoo To Do and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)