The high-stakes, high-society elegance of Monte Carlo is this year’s theme for the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s annual Snow Leopard Soirée on Friday, February 8, a black-tie gala to benefit zoo education programs.
This year’s gala honors Al Gough, Partner & CFO of Brine Wells Companies, LLC, and Friends of the Zoo board member. Gough, a longtime zoo supporter, contributed to the Friends capital campaigns for the Penguin Coast and Primate Park exhibits at the zoo.
Snow Leopard Soirée has all the fun, food and fanciful decor of a charity ball, plus interactions with zoo animals and zookeepers and chances to bid on animal art and behind-the-scenes zoo experiences. Some of the more “zoo-nique” items include a painting created by siamang apes Abe and Fatima and art by Bactrian camels Patrick and George, as well as a behind-the-scenes sloth encounter.
The annual Soirée helps fund zoo education programs that reach some 150,000 people each year. Conservation education is key part of the zoo’s mission as an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), said Friends of the Zoo President Janet Agostini.
“AZA facilities are required to ensure that our guests come away with a greater understanding of the animal kingdom and wildlife conservation,” Agostini said.
“If your child has participated in a school field trip to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo or attended Zoo Camp, if you have come to a zoo event or have interacted with our teen Zoo Guides who work at the zoo each summer, you have been touched by a zoo education program.”
Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s education programs include:
Zoo to You, a mobile education program that brings zoo educators and ambassador animals – birds, lizards, snakes, even a porcupine – to schools, libraries, community centers and hospitals.
Zoo Camp – weeklong summer camps or day-long seasonal camps that include zoo tours, hands-on activities, games, crafts and interaction with animals and animal care staff on topics such as animal adaptations, habitats, enrichment and saving species.
Zoo Guides, a program that trains about 20 city high school students each year to work at the zoo helping to educate the public with animal biofact stations and other activities.
Soirée is an annual tradition that some couples and groups of friends plan for each year. The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. At 8 p.m., guests fill the zoo’s banquet room for a gourmet dinner and a live auction. A dessert spread, music and dancing follow.
The silent auction will feature Mobile Bidding by GiveSmart, which allows attendees to bid via their smart phones while enjoying the food and festivities. To Register Click Here
If You Go What: Snow Leopard Soirée 2019: Monte Carlo. When: Friday, February 8, 6:30 to 11 p.m. Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY 13204. Why: Gala fundraiser to benefit the zoo’s education programs. Cost: $220 per person; $1,750/per table of eight; reservations required. Reservations: Reserve Now or call 315-435-8511 x8518.
Janet Agostini President + CEO Friends of the Zoo