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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association today announced that its two virtual fundraisers -- “Walk for the Wild'' and the “Beastly Ball'' -- raised more than $1.15 million for the zoo.
“The success of these two events hinged on community support and participation, and we are grateful for all those who joined us for Walk for the Wild's global journey to save wildlife and tuned in for this past weekend's Beastly Ball,'' Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association President Tom Jacobson said.
“The groundswell of public and private support that has taken place in the last few months underscores the importance of zoos in our lives and has helped shine a spotlight on our leadership, conservation programs and animal care here at the Los Angeles Zoo.''
The Beastly Ball, which is the zoo's annual fundraiser, raised more than $1 million and was held virtually this year on June 5 and hosted by comedian/TV host Joel McHale. It featured inspiring conservation stories, special celebrity guests, animal appearances and an online auction. Actors Jackie Chan and Leila George were honored for their philanthropic work, and entertainment was provided by Jimmy Kimmel, Martin Sheen, Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson, Gabriel Ingelsia, Weezer, REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin, Slash with Def Leppard's Phil Collen and the Stone Temple Pilot's Robert DeLeo.
More than 5,700 people watched the virtual event, which included an auction that brought in $52,500, and featured local and international artists. McHale's painting, which he worked on as he hosted the event, fetched $1,100 by the end of the night.
People interested in donating still have the option to do so through the zoo's “Fund-a-Need'' program, which will help the zoo purchase a steam autoclave for the animal hospital, create a southern mountain yellow-legged frog habitat for public viewing, install a shade structure for the giraffe exhibit and purchase eight iPads for animal behavior research efforts.
Meanwhile, the zoo's “Walk for the Wild'' fundraiser, which ran from April 22 through May 21, raised $158,000.
That fundraiser allowed participants to take a virtual walk “around the world'' to explore the global conservation impact of the L.A. Zoo and learn about efforts to save threatened species. More than 500 people joined the walk.
Participants who joined individually or as a team were rewarded throughout the journey with digital fitness and fundraising badges, exclusive content, plus rewards based on fundraising level, according to GLAZA, the nonprofit organization that supports the zoo and its conservation work.
People can learn more about the zoo's fundraisers or donate to the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association at https://www.lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/beastly-ball/.
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