Supporters to Head South of the Border
in Support of the Palm Beach Zoo’s “Do at the Zoo” Fundraiser
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society supporters will be heading “south of the border” for the always-popular annual spring fundraiser, “Do at the Zoo.” The fiesta-casual event takes place on Friday, May 9, 2014, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Zoo.
Attendees can enjoy a movable feast from nine participating restaurants, sip on fiesta-themed cocktails, dance to the musical sounds of a local mariachi band and DJ Vlad, and participate in a silent auction with a “stay-cation” theme. Guests will come face-to-face with some of the Zoo’s most fascinating animals roaming the Zoo with zookeepers. Guests can also watch a jaguar feeding, and even participate in safely feeding organic honey to the Zoo’s two North American black bear brothers, Lewis and Clark. As part of the Zoo’s mission of reducing its overall carbon footprint, select lighting for the evening will come from solar-powered lanterns.
Whitney Bylin, Thomas C. Quick and Samantha Storkerson are serving as Event Committee Chairmen. Whole Enchilada Sponsors are Michele and Howard Kessler, as well as Thomas C. Quick. Tijuana Special Sponsors are Christie’s and the Palm Beach Kennel Club. El Taquito Sponsors are Whitney and Eric Bylin, Maura Ziska Christu and Eric Christu, Lillian and Luis Fernandez, Susanna Hager, Samantha and Chris Storkerson, John and Eddy Taylor, Rod and Carole Hartless/The Hartless Foundation and Lucia Musso. Host Committee members are H. Loy Anderson, Mary and Kane Baker, Fletcher Baker, Lori Bernstein, James Berwind, Amanda Boalt, Mary Cheatham, Maura Ziska Christu and Eric Christu, Kevin Clark, Alex Coleman, Lillian and Luis Fernandez, Susanna Hager, Ashley and Scott Harcourt, Debbie Dunkin, Lourdes Fanjul, Mary Freitas, Annabelle Garrett, Mei Sze and Jeff Greene, Michele Kessler, Patrick Killian, Lilly Leas, Emily Mateer, Minnie and Kevin McCluskey, Jeremy Myers, Ashley Ramos, Lauriston and Richard Segerson, Maura Smith, Lizzi and Trey Sned, Linda Soper and Kellie Stenzel.
BACARDÍ is the exclusive spirits sponsor, and will provide a full bar with specialty cocktails, made by BACARDÍ’s own bartenders, which will then be served up by lovely BACARDÍ models. The bars will feature classic cocktails such as the Cuba Libré and hand-shaken daiquiris, in celebration of BACARDÍ’s true rums.
Participating restaurants are Echo, Imoto, Nick & Johnnie’s, Paneterie, PDQ food truck, Rooney’s Public House, Table 26, Table 427 and the Palm Beach Zoo’s Tropics Café.
Silent Auction Donors are Florida Power & Light Company, Al Fresco, Keylypso Charters, The Omphoy Ocean Resort & Spa Palm Beach, Palm Beach Executive Services, Palm Beach Zoo, Kellie Stenzel and TooJay’s.
Auction items up for silent bid during “Do at the Zoo” include the following “stay-cation” packages:
- Katy Perry’s Prismatic Tour at the BB&T Center on Wednesday, July 2nd is sure to be the biggest sell-out summer concert of 2014. Package includes four suite-level tickets and a VIP parking pass provided by Florida Power & Light Company.
- Enjoy an unforgettable four-hour snorkeling experience for ten people this summer onboard the Keylypso catamaran. Captain Gary and his crew will give you all the equipment and instructions you need. Transportation to and from your house to the Lake Park Marina will be provided by Palm Beach Executive Services, and Toojay’s will provide a delicious box lunch. You just bring the swimsuit and suntan lotion, and tons of fun is guaranteed!
- Do you know what a fried egg is? A slice? A gimme? Be sure to ask top PGA professional Kellie Stenzel as she gives you and five friends a one-hour golf lesson at the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course. Golf crazies wait months to get a lesson from Stenzel, and now you can get one hour of her coaching to share (or not). Included in this package is a $100 gift certificate to Al Fresco restaurant, right there at the Par 3 course, to enjoy lunch afterwards.
- Steal a weekend away from the kids at The Omphoy Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach. The amazing hotel keeps the Atlantic Ocean close to heart, and is a true retreat for mind and body.
- A two-hour trip around the world, right here at home – at the Palm Beach Zoo! If you like wildlife and continent hopping (without the jetlag), this experience is for you. The first stop is North America, where you will have the opportunity to feed two adult male black bears. Next, you will travel to Asia, where you will walk among giants – the Zoo’s Aldabra tortoises. You will be able to feed them, bathe them and give them some welcome neck scratches! Next, it’s on to Africa to have your picture taken with the servals of the savanna — these aren’t your ordinary house cats! There will be a quick stop in Australia to meet a lovable dingo, and then on to South America, where you will hand-feed the largest species of rodent – the capybara sisters! This amazing tour package is expected to take two hours, and is offered for a group of one to six people, ages 10 and up.
Proceeds from “Do at the Zoo” will help the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society to advance its mission of inspiring people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. The Zoo is home to more than 800 animals, and is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
Ticket prices for “Do at the Zoo” start at $200, and sponsorships are still available by contacting Pam Viscusi at (561) 533-0887 ext. 285, or emailing pviscusi@palmbeachzoo.org.
About the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education and support of conservation initiatives in the field. Our commitment to sustainable business practices elevates our capacity to inspire others.
The Palm Beach Zoo is located at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.