Saving Wildlife 2024 was a magical night of adventure! In addition to being our biggest fundraiser of the year, this event was a joyful experience that brought together a diverse group of people who share one common interest: saving wildlife!
From the moment guests walked into the pavilion, they were enveloped in an atmosphere of wonder and excitement, feeling as though they had been transported to an exotic adventure. The theme of the night was meticulously expressed through detailed design touches that captured the essence of a wild jungle expedition, thanks to our event and graphic designer, Amy Webb, along with the generous contributions of Ron Dunn of On the Side Event Design and Production.
Our animal care team was there to provide up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors, such as Pepper the striped skunk, Puff the Magic Bearded Dragon, and Aurora the turkey vulture. Our local wineries and breweries stepped up to provide our guests with a variety of beverages to enjoy, and the food provided by Papa Terall’s Barbecue was absolutely delicious. We all enjoyed the music of Mike Brons, which was a perfect compliment to the theme and activities of the evening.
Jes Webb of Sights and Sounds Unlimited kicked off the fun by guiding everyone through the activities of the night, from an exciting game of Heads or Tails to the inspiring stories shared by our executive director, Dave Siddon. This was followed by a video presentation with a sneak peek at what lies ahead for Wildlife Images.
This year, the excitement started days before the event when the online silent auction opened. We are still in awe of the incredible donations we received for both the silent and live auctions. We could feel the virtual energy during the online auction as Lily Morgan and Tina Gotchall helped set a fun and positive tone. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and generosity as Rogue Auctioneers presented each item and facilitated the bidding wars that took place for the sake of our mission.
The magic of Saving Wildlife 2024 was not only in the financial support we received to continue our critical mission, but also in the interactions we shared and the connection we felt with all the animal lovers and conservationists who showed up to spend time together at this beautiful event. We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event so memorable and for supporting our mission.
Photography generously provided by Star Dewar of Starshots Photography.