Page 73 - August Life In Naples Magazine
P. 73
2017 2018
• The Black and White Ball was held on Friday, November • Event rebranded for future events as Zoo Gala.
10, 2017, at Naples Zoo, and included an exclusive “First • This year’s theme is ‘In the Garden of Eden’ in honor
Look” of the Penguins in Paradise traveling exhibit. of the Centennial Anniversary of Dr. Nehrling’s Tropical
• The event raised $477,000. Garden
• Black and White Ball event chairs: Terry & Bob Edwards • Zoo Gala: In the Garden of Eden event chairs: Terry &
and Jody & Gerald Lippes Bob Edwards and Jody & Gerald Lippes
• The event supported hurricane relief and the Glass • This event will support Naples Zoo’s new
Animal Hospital education center.
• To view the images of post-Hurricane Irma damage • Naples Zoo’s on-site educational programming is strong,
go to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/iewxabs4j9fmtyi/ however, there is an increasing demand for expansion of
AABxpdULNf-tQ3g4ENuvf3nqa?dl=0 the zoo’s science and conservation education portfolio.
• The décor featured different shades of blush from the In order to help meet this demand and provide quality
table linens to the centerpieces. Elegant chandeliers hung on-site space for programming, the Zoo is actively raising
through the middle of the tent were accompanied by lush funds for a new education center. At present, Naples
draping along the top of the tent. Zoo is utilizing a modular classroom, recently installed
• MO5AIC was the entertainer. They are an acapella to provide temporary, limited space until the education
group that performed after dinner. center is built. The center will serve as a base of
• African penguins are critically endangered – this operations for visiting school groups and
event and the traveling exhibit were incredible teachers and students engaged in formal
opportunities to share the story of African conservation, environmental and science education
penguins and teach others how they can help. In the classes. Once the center is completed, the Zoo
early 20th century, Africa was home to an estimated conservatively estimates that an additional 15,000
one million breeding pairs of penguins. Today, a mere to 20,000 pre-school and school aged children will
2.5% of that population remains. Accredited zoos participate annually in formal on-site programming.
including Naples Zoo support the Saving Animals From Through the generosity of the Hamill Family Foundation,
Extinction (SAFE) initiative to pool their resources to the Zoo was awarded a $2.5 million challenge grant
prevent the loss of this endangered species. toward the education center’s total cost for completion.
• Guests were able to meet African penguins at the Black Donors who earmark their support for the education
and White Ball and take photos with them. center will have their contributions matched dollar for
dollar by the foundation.
Life in Naples | Aug/Sept/Oct 2018 73
