Mark your calendars for the Dallas Zoo’s major fundraiser on Saturday, November 5, 2022
There was nothing subtle about the Zoo To Do 2022 Kickoff Party as the cool breezes gave respite from the previous day’s heat and guests gathered at the award-winning Giants of the Savanna, Simmons Safari Base Camp with elephants wandering in the nearby habitat. There were giraffes to feed, African painted dog sightings, lions lounging and a host of ambassador animals to welcome the crowd. The scene was perfectly set for Zoo To Do 2022 chairs Marena and Roger Gault to announce this year’s theme, Wild and Wonderful.
Gregg Hudson, President and CEO of the Dallas Zoo, welcomed everyone and turned the microphone over to Rhealyn Carter, Vice President of Advancement, who recognized the board and encouraged everyone to go to the website at www.dallaszoo.com/zootodo to learn about how they can participate in the upcoming Zoo To Do fundraiser happening on Saturday, November 5, 2022.
The Dallas Zoo’s largest fundraiser, Zoo To Do will open to approximately 700 guests as they begin the evening near the Giants of the Savanna habitat with cocktails and small bites from a selection of Dallas’ standout restaurants, while enjoying animal encounters and browsing the Big Board and silent auction items. The strolling dinner and dessert then continue in the Wilds of Africa Plaza, featuring additional specialty dishes from outstanding guest chefs. Following dinner, guests can bid on Zoo experiences, travel, and more in the live auction. Partygoers will then dance the night away to music by Manhattan.
Marena and Roger thanked the Zoo family of committee members and donors and reiterated their appreciation for everyone’s support of the Dallas Zoo’s mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife. She announced Honorary Chairs Kim and Greg Hext, Robyn and Chris Chauvin are Host Committee Chairs, Sherwood Wagner is VIP Chair, Advisory Committee are Diane Brierley, Cindy Gummer and Kim Hext; Underwriting Committee are Alex Arellano (Chair), Jake Bender, Diane Brierley, Ryan Gummer, Gail Plummer, Steven Roth; Big Board Chair is Cindy Gummer; Silent Auction Committee are Robyn Chauvin (Co-chair), Chuck Steelman (Co-chair), Gabi Herrick, Kyleb Howell, William LeMasters, Niko Padilla, Jack Salisbury, Fabiola Sierra; Raffle Committee are Courtney and Andrew Nall (Chairs), Nick Adamson, Brandi and Rick Ellis, Christina Morris; Wine Guys are father/son teams Greg Hext and Preston Hext along with Michael Meadows and Matthew Meadows; Honorary Chef is Dan Landsberg and Chef Wrangler is Brett Krafft.
Zoo To Do is a major source of funding for the nonprofit Dallas Zoo. Proceeds from the event help support the Zoo’s dedication to providing the best animal care, delivering unique education offerings, and strengthening its wildlife conservation efforts. Sponsorship levels range from $7,500 to $50,000 and underwriting levels range from $7,500 to $100,000. Individual tickets are $750 each and VIP tickets are $1,500 each.
For more information, visit the website at www.dallaszoo.com/zootodo, contact Marissa Porter, Events Coordinator at events@dallaszoo.com or call 469-554-7522.
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 Danny Campbell.