The Chicago Zoological Society’s largest annual fundraiser, Wild, Wild Whirl, was presented by the Women’s Board and Board of Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society on April 25 with more than 640 in attendance at the Brookfield Zoo. The evening was a celebration of the 216-acre zoo’s new exhibit, Hamill Family Wild Encounters, which will open July 1. Guests enjoyed close encounters with over a dozen exotic animals, an elegant seated dinner, a live auction and dancing to the band Maggie Speaks.
The black-tie, $600-per-person fundraiser offered patrons a chance to mingle with a variety of wild animals from the zoo’s Animal Ambassador Program as well as from the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium. They included two hawks, a porcupine, an eagle, a fox, a turkey vulture, an owl, a serval and a two-toed sloth. Warren the flamingo and a penguin named Trout had free run of the reception area (followed closely by their handlers) creating great photo opportunities for delighted guests.
A recording of a lion’s roar summoned the crowd to dinner in a grand tent richly decorated by The Flower Firm. Emcee Eric Ferguson (The Mix 101.9 FM) asked guests for “complete silence and no quick movements” before introducing Moyo the cheetah who appeared on a table in the center of the room. As onlookers quietly admired the 130-pound cat, Glenn Granat, curator of Hamill Family Play Zoo and Animal Ambassadors, spoke about the upcoming exhibit calling it “one of our biggest attractions ever.”
During the live auction, which raised a total of $94,000, a chance to name the new exhibit’s red panda sold for $20,000. A paddle raise brought in an extra $295,500.
Keynote speaker, Andres Valle, appeared onstage with his four siblings who all became involved with the zoo over 16 years ago as members of its Zoo Adventure Passport Program. “Brookfield Zoo is a place that fosters education and has been like a home to us. Most importantly, it lives by its mission to inspire conservation leadership,” said Valle, now a senior community program assistant at the zoo
The gala, co-chaired by Women’s Board members Romana Malinowski and Sarah Opler, raised more than $1.4 million to support the zoo’s animals as well as the Chicago Zoological Society’s conservation and educational programs.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
More coverage
Find more photos and events at http://www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace
Visit Candid Candace’s website at http://www.candidcandace.com
