For an added splash ahead of this year’s Zoo To Do gala, the Zoo team and Zoo To Do chair Marena Gault worked with Chuck Steelman from Trademark Property Co./Galleria Dallas to dream up a Wild and Wonderful installation at the iconic North Dallas shopping center.
The team took over an empty storefront for the month of October to feature stunning portraits of generous Zoo donors and Zoo To Do guests, paired with the eye-catching lion creative that sets the tone for this year’s Zoo To Do “Wild and Wonderful” theme.
Rick Bettinger and his team from Gittings Portrait Studios thoughtfully volunteered their time to capture photos of a mix of long-time supporters and new friends of the Zoo, all decked out in black tie attire, next to the beautiful habitats and amazing animals at the Dallas Zoo. As a part of the project, Gittings donated the standard sitting fees for the portraits to the Zoo. And incorporated on the creative in the installation is a QR code which passers-by can use to make their own donation to support the Zoo’s mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife.
Slated for Saturday, November 5, the Dallas Zoo’s largest fundraiser Zoo To Do will open to 700-plus 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 continues in the Wilds of Africa Plaza, featuring additional sweet treats and late night bites 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.
Joining Marena as chair is her husband, Roger Gault. Honorary Chairs are Kim and Greg Hext. Robyn and Chris Chauvin are Host Committee Chairs. Sherwood Wagner is VIP Chair.
Additional committee members include Diane Brierley, Cindy Gummer and Kim Hext as the Advisory Committee; Underwriting Committee are Alex Arellano (Chair), Jake Bender, Diane Brierley, Ryan Gummer, Gail Plummer, Steven Roth; Live Auction Committee are Kari and Tim McDonald (Chairs), Barbara and Don Averitt, Lauralee and Robert Gunby, Dawn Moore, Venise Stuart, Aimee Williams-Ramey; 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 in our backyard and around the world. Sponsorship levels range from $12,500 to $60,000 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.
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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 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 4 p.m. currently), 364 days a year. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500.
Photos: Gittings Portrait Studio