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San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Kicks Off Annual
Virtual Fundraising Gala—Rendezvous In The Zoo (R·I·T·Z)—with
Silent Auction to Save Wildlife
Festivities start at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 5.
SAN DIEGO – This spring, San Diego Zoo Wildlife
Alliance is engaging wildlife allies everywhere to help save
species during the annual virtual Rendezvous In The Zoo (R·I·T·Z)—Bringing
the World to You. This premier online gala takes place
Saturday, June 5 at 7 p.m., and aims to raise funds for rare
and endangered wildlife at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego
Zoo Safari Park, along with fueling the nonprofit
organization’s crucial wildlife conservation work
worldwide—continuing its stated commitment to build a world
where all life thrives.
“Last year, tens of thousands of wildlife allies from more
than 21 countries on six continents, and across 35 states,
helped us make history at our first-ever virtual R·I·T·Z,”
said Paul A. Baribault, president and CEO of San Diego Zoo
Wildlife Alliance. “In a year of changes and challenges, we
were able to come together, raise funds and share the
extraordinary ways our members, donors and guests are
helping us save wildlife around the world. They are counting
on us, and we will never give up.”
This year’s gala is a few days away, but the public is
encouraged to get a head start by taking part in the R·I·T·Z
online silent auction. Anyone can visit the auction pages to
bid on one-of-a-kind and exclusive items that cannot be
found anywhere else. Among other incredible items is Nature,
a limited edition work of art by international artist Romero
Britto. This inspirational piece was developed to
commemorate and celebrate the organization’s transformation
into San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and its effort to
amplify the importance and urgency of its mission to save
wildlife worldwide. Jewelry and accessories, such as a
Princess Diana-inspired purse; and amazing vacations,
including a New Orleans Getaway, are also highlights.
Virtual R·I·T·Z participants can also join in this year’s
Love for Wildlife Competition. The competition highlights
four of the conservation programs San Diego Zoo Wildlife
Alliance allies make possible, and how they are saving
wildlife—including polar bears, jaguars, platypuses and
burrowing owls—in the organization’s eight regional
conservation “hubs” that represent the its highest-priority
work with communities and partners around the world.
Anyone with a computer or a smartphone can participate in
this year’s gala, from the comfort of home, simply by
visiting the R·I·T·Z
Facebook page.
Guests to the virtual R·I·T·Z will enjoy special guest
appearances, amazing live musical performances, handcrafted
cocktail-making demonstrations, multiple wildlife visits
from San Diego Zoo Rady Ambassadors, fascinating stories
about wildlife and updates on the organization’s worldwide
conservation efforts—plus, many more fun surprises.
Attendees who register in advance will receive exclusive
insider details, and be entered in a sweepstakes to win air
travel for two, to an Alaska Airlines® destination of their
choice, provided by Alaska Airlines, Official Airline
Sponsor of the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Virtual Rendezvous In The Zoo (R·I·T·Z)—Bringing the World
to You begins at 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Saturday,
June 5. The online silent auction starts Friday, May 28 and
closes at 8 p.m. PDT on Sunday, June 6. For more information
on R·I·T·Z, and how to make a donation, visit sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/ritz.
Those wishing to help via traditional mail can send a
donation of any amount to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance,
c/o R·I·T·Z, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112.
About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international
conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for
nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The
Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support
their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and
partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports
cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their
work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari
Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the
opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work
of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to
strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe,
where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,”
including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able
to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to
improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts.
By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation
science, and through collaboration with hundreds of
partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced
more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each
year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1
billion people in 150 countries via news media, social
media, their websites, educational resources and the San
Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in
13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of
members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San
Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to
ensuring All Life Thrives. |