Oregon Zoolala Celebrates Party Animals

Portland, July 21st. The Zoolala benefit party raised nearly $150,000 to support the important animal welfare, conservation, education and sustainability programs at the core of the Oregon Zoo’s mission. OZF Board Member Campbell Kidd, Mike Clark, OZF Board Member Tracey Clark, and OZF Director Jani Iverson enjoyed the event.

More than 700 zoo aficionados turned out for the charity benefit. A sold-out VIP reception featured a champagne ride on the zoo’s iconic train to the Great Northwest and patio of the new state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center. Signature drinks and sample plates from generous eateries tempted palates as Seattle-based performance painting artist Jimmy Gersen created works of art to be auctioned off later in the evening.

The party got into full swing on the zoo’s concert lawn area. Guests tried their luck at the Monte Carlo tables and collected their winnings in the marketplace. For those who liked groovin’, the Tara Williamson Quartet and Beatles-through-the-ages band Apple Jam provided plenty of fodder for happy feet .

Of course, the animals weren’t left out of the fun. The zoo’s famous elephants, orangutans and sun bears were among the wildlife who stayed up late to enjoy a few enriching activities of their own!

From the Oregon Zoo:

We owe a great deal of thanks to everyone who came out to support the zoo, to those who donate to help create a better future for wildlife, to the zoo’s invaluable corps of volunteers, to all the vendors who served guests and to the event sponsors: Spirit Mountain Casino, Ray and Karolette Peterson, NW Natural, The Standard, Nike, Lease Crutcher Lewis, PLACE, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Jane Buchan and Jim Driscoll, Portland Monthly, KEX, Chateau St. Michelle, Deschutes Brewery, New Deal Distillery and DRY Soda.