Dallas Zoo’s Largest Annual Fundraiser Goes VIRTUAL for the First Time!
Zoo To Do Gala is reimagined as a “Wild Night In” for all, becomes a free online event
For the first time ever, the Dallas Zoo’s annual Zoo To Do fundraiser is relocating – to the internet! The Zoo To Do gala that would have been hosted at the Zoo in late 2020 has been reinvented as “Wild Night In,” a virtual fundraiser to be streamed online on January 28, 2021.
Wild Night In will feature familiar faces from the Dallas Zoo (both human and animal), giving virtual “guests” a closer look at the work that went on and the fun that was still had despite the challenges the Zoo faced as an organization in 2020. The audience will have opportunities to support the Zoo during the event by bidding in a live online auction, participating in a raffle, or making a direct donation.
The virtual fundraiser will be streamed on the Zoo’s website, as well as on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. The live feed will begin with a countdown starting at 6:15 p.m. CST on Thursday, January 28, and the main event will start at 6:30 p.m. CST that evening. The program is set to run for approximately 45 minutes. If you are not able to join the event live, a video replay will remain available on the Zoo’s website and YouTube channel for you to watch at your leisure.
“We would have loved nothing more than to welcome guests to the Zoo for our traditional Zoo To Do fundraiser, but it simply was not possible. As was the theme for almost all of 2020, we pivoted and found a way to bring some of the best parts of Zoo To Do to an even broader audience with our Wild Night In virtual event,” said Gregg Hudson, president and CEO of the Dallas Zoo.
“We all know 2020 was a year like no other, and that was particularly true for the Zoo, as we faced multimillion dollar financial losses because of an extended closure, and limited guest capacity once we were able to safely reopen. The fundraising we do through an event like Wild Night In is more critical now than it ever has been, and we’re looking forward to a great response from those who join us for this year’s virtual celebration,” said Hudson.
Go All Out for Wild Night In
Given the tremendous need for support, the Zoo is asking us to go all out for Wild Night In! There are many ways to engage with and support the Zoo’s virtual fundraising event. You can find details and updates about the event at DallasZoo.com/WildNightIn.
You can get in on the action soon by bidding in the online auction for items that include artwork and Zoo experiences or by purchasing a raffle ticket for a chance to win an animal encounter. Bidding opens soon (be on the lookout for an update from the Zoo!) and ends February 1 at 6:00 p.m. CST.
The event’s new online format means anyone, anywhere can have a Wild Night In with the Dallas Zoo. Using a computer or mobile device with access to the internet, you can easily enjoy the streaming event.
It is free to simply watch the virtual event, but be sure to RSVP here in advance so the Zoo can send you event updates and information about the online auction.
Plus, everyone who RSVPs will receive a digital event guide to help you make the most of your night. From social media stickers and recipes for sips and snacks, to a “party animal” playlist for your evening, the digital event guide is a must-have to make this event a Wild Night In!
You can elevate your Wild Night In experience by supporting the Zoo at a pre-set level starting at $750 to get additional perks, like an invite to the virtual Patron Party or a Wild Night In party kit delivered to your house on January 28 ahead of the event.
Special Thanks
Thank you to longtime sponsor American Airlines for continuing its commitment this year as the Official Airline for the Zoo’s Wild Night In event.
See the following pages for special recognition of our event donors and host committee. Now more than ever, the Dallas Zoo is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from its generous community. Money raised from this year’s Wild Night In event will help the nonprofit Dallas Zoo continue to recover from the overwhelming financial impact the pandemic had on its operations in 2020. Supporting the Zoo now, and throughout the year, is key to ensuring the success of its mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife.
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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 for 36 years, and features a 106-acre park, thousands of 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 4 p.m. currently), 364 days a year. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500.
Thank you to our Wild Night In donors:
Official Zoo To Do Airline
American Airlines
Pod of Hippos ($50,000 and up)
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
Troop of Gorillas ($25,000 – $49,999)
Diane and Hal Brierley
Ruth O’Donnell Mutch
Tower of Giraffes ($15,000 – $24,999)
Kate and Lane Britain
The Gummer Gang
Carol and John Levy
Locke Lord / Carol and Don Glendenning
Dawn and Steve Moore
PetroCap LLC
Gayla and Jim Von Ehr
Lori and Chuck Whitten
Flamboyance of Flamingos ($7,500 – $14,999)
Amanda and Michael Andereck
ANDRES Construction
Jackson Walker
Overhead Door Corporation
Aimee and Royce Ramey / Tolleson Wealth Management
Nancy and Doug Rabe
Ruth Robinson and Family
Lisa K. Simmons
Joan and Alan Walne
Waddle of Penguins ($5,000- $7,499)
Purvi and Bill Albers
Barbara and Steve Durham
GuideIT, LLC
Kim and Greg Hext
Kathy and Greg Nelson
Janiece and Jimmy Niemann
Stephen Penrose
Steven J. Roth and Thai-lan Tran
VIP Couple ($3,000 – $4,999)
Barbara and Don Daseke
Alina and Ruben Esquivel
Lois and Ross Finkelman
Laree Hulshoff and Ben Fischer
Sarah and Alan Losinger
Jill and David Mellinger
PwC
Jeff and Darrel Rice
Gloria and Juan Ernesto Snead
Ellen and Donald Winspear
VIP Individual ($1,500-$2,999)
Sandra Estess
Julie and Bill Evans
Kathy and Kevin Hanrahan
Sharon and Gregg Hudson
Dan Patterson
Gail and Bill Plummer
Carolyn and Karl Rathjen
Individual ($750-$1,499)
Tiffany and Bobby Abtahi
Nicole and Justin Anderson
Lee Bailey
Rebecca and Ronald Gafford
Tiffani and Steven Mackenzie
Alice and Erle Nye
Thank you to our Wild Night In Host Committee:
Tiffany and Bobby Abtahi
Purvi and Bill Albers
Jennifer and Peter Altabef
Mary and Travis Andres
Lee Bailey
Jayda Batchelder
Diane and Hal Brierley
Kate and Lane Britain
Connie and Denny Carreker
Robyn and Chris Chauvin
Mary McDermott Cook
Emily and David Corrigan
Barbara and Don Daseke
Alina and Ruben Esquivel
Julie and Bill Evans
Lois and Ross Finkelman
Marena and Roger Gault
Carol and Don Glendenning
Cindy and Chuck Gummer
Alisha and Chris Gummer
Cameron and Jay Gummer
Michelle and Ryan Gummer
Karen and Wayne Hamilton
Erin and Paul Haney
Kathy and Kevin Hanrahan
Kim and Greg Hext
Laree Hulshoff and Ben Fisher
Laura and Tom Leppert
Carol and John Levy
Sarah and Alan Losinger
Tiffani and Steven Mackenzie
Maria Martineau
Pat and Charles McEvoy
Jill and David Mellinger
Jared Miller
Jerry Miller
Dawn and Steve Moore
Ruth O’Donnell Mutch
Kathy and Greg Nelson
Dan Patterson
Stephen Penrose
Nancy and Doug Rabe
Jeff and Darrel Rice
Helen and Frank Risch
Ruth Robinson
Stefanie Schneidler and Jeffery Robinson
Gretel and Justin Shipley
Gloria and Juan Ernesto Snead
Tamela Thornton
Margaret and Mark Walsh
C.W. Whitaker
Lori and Chuck Whitten
Aimee Williams-Ramey and Royce Ramey
Ellen and Don Winspear
Thai-Ian Tran and Steven Roth
Joan and Alan Walne
Cynthia Yung
*as of 1.11.21
