Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Centennial
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Press
  • Guest Info
    • Accessibility
    • Calendar >
      • Chris Rowlands Live!
      • Sky Hunters
    • COVID Guidelines
    • For Kids >
      • Coloring Pages
      • Zoo Patrol
      • Zoo Tots
    • Our Animals
    • Our Plants
    • Parents
    • Photography Exhibition
    • Zoo Cams >
      • Outdoor Red Panda Cam
      • Indoor Red Panda Cam
      • Outdoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Indoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Otter Cam
    • Zoo Etiquette
    • Zoo Map
  • Membership
  • Education
    • Citizen Science >
      • FrogWatch
      • MonarchWatch
    • Conservation >
      • City Nature Challenge
      • Conservation Pledge
    • Cool Blue
    • Distance Learning
    • Educational Resources
    • Evening Lectures
    • Field Trips
    • Just 4 Teens >
      • CDC
      • Explorers
    • Teachers
  • Support
    • Animal Sponsorship
    • Appeal
    • Bricks and Benches
    • Corporate Support
    • Donate
    • Events >
      • Centennial Gala
      • Golf Tournament
    • Gift Guide
    • Monthly Giving
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Wish List
  • Parties, Rentals & Weddings
    • Birthdays
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Rates and Details
    • Preferred Vendors
    • Preferred Wedding Vendors
    • Event Guidelines
  • Volunteer
    • Interns
  • En Espanol
  • Buy Tickets

Press Room and News

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo to Hold Centennial Endangered Species Gala This Fall

8/4/2022

 
Gala Committee Established to Raise Funds and Celebrate the Zoo’s Centennial Year

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – August 3, 2022 – When a passionate group of animal lovers, board members, and Zoo supporters get together, the outcome is a fabulous way to raise funds for Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. A group of women and men from around the region have joined forces to create the Zoo’s third in-person Endangered Species Gala, this time also celebrating the Zoo’s Centennial year. The elegant evening affair, designed to raise money to support the Zoo’s collection of endangered species and enhance habitats, will be held on October 29, 2022, at the Inn at Longshore in Westport. 
Co-chaired by Sonja Narcisse of Fairfield and Claudette Kunkes, PhD, of Westport, both Connecticut Zoological Society members of the Board of Directors, this year’s Gala will feature a seated dinner silent and live auctions, and musical entertainment from the Glenn Lesiw Trio. Guests will enjoy cocktails and entertainment, animal encounters, a seated dinner and silent and live auctions.
 
Melissa Sheketoff, host of WICC’s Melissa in the Morning will act as emcee, and Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo, is the guest speaker. A special VIP cocktail hour will feature Master Falconer Brian Bradley and his Sky Hunters in Flight. Tickets start at $250/person; $500/person includes the VIP cocktail hour.
 
Committee members include Audrey Delfoe of Fairfield, Teresa Nakouzi of Hamden, Lisa Croce Jackson, Chip Dumais and Dean DeBiase, all of Milford, Simone Ruotolo and Bernadette Baldino, both of Trumbull, Donna Rosenbloom of Weston, Antonio Rodriguez of Stratford, Brooke Hopkins of Woodbridge, Jennifer DiBlanda of Prospect, and Sue Amatrudo of East Haven.
 
“The Centennial Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the important species-saving work of the Zoo over many years,” said Narcisse, committee co-chair. “Once you realize the steps that are being taken by our Zoo to help sustain the future of wildlife, it’s impossible not to want to help them continue their work.”
 
“The evening will be a very special, elegant event. We invite guests to come and enjoy meeting the Zoo’s animal ambassadors and learn from the Zoo’s animal experts,” said Co-Chair Kunkes.
 
The Zoo is seeking sponsors for the event. Beginning with an exclusive presenting sponsorship priced at $25,000, there are multiple opportunities for corporations and individuals to contribute. Interested supporters can contact Ashley Volkens, at 203-394-5522, or at avolkens@beardsleyzoo.org.
 
“Today’s zoos are dedicated to conservation, research, education, and exceptional guest experience,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “As animals continue to disappear in the wild, and as the “wild” itself disappears due to deforestation and human interaction, the role of accredited zoos becomes more important in ensuring our grandchildren can see a live tiger, for instance, instead of just a picture of what one used to look like.”
 
 “Our mission to educate and contribute to conservation efforts is helped in a very large way by our volunteers and committee members,” Dancho added. “We’re grateful for their assistance.”

Comments are closed.

    Contact

    Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo appreciates the support it receives from local, regional and national media outlets. Media representatives are invited to tour 
    Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on their own or with the Zoo Director by calling 203-767-0334 or emailing 
    ​lisa@clairstone.com

    To be added to the media list and receive all press releases and the Zoo’s monthly e-newsletter, email your credentials and contact information to lisa@clairstone.com

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    March 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

203-394-6565
​info@beardsleyzoo.org 
1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610
Open 9am-4pm daily
​Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.

2019 Kids Out and About #1
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Connecticut - Still Revolutionary
Weekly Best of Fairfield County Readers' Poll 2014
FC Buzz Events - Arts & Culture of Fairfield County
© 2022 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Centennial
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Press
  • Guest Info
    • Accessibility
    • Calendar >
      • Chris Rowlands Live!
      • Sky Hunters
    • COVID Guidelines
    • For Kids >
      • Coloring Pages
      • Zoo Patrol
      • Zoo Tots
    • Our Animals
    • Our Plants
    • Parents
    • Photography Exhibition
    • Zoo Cams >
      • Outdoor Red Panda Cam
      • Indoor Red Panda Cam
      • Outdoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Indoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Otter Cam
    • Zoo Etiquette
    • Zoo Map
  • Membership
  • Education
    • Citizen Science >
      • FrogWatch
      • MonarchWatch
    • Conservation >
      • City Nature Challenge
      • Conservation Pledge
    • Cool Blue
    • Distance Learning
    • Educational Resources
    • Evening Lectures
    • Field Trips
    • Just 4 Teens >
      • CDC
      • Explorers
    • Teachers
  • Support
    • Animal Sponsorship
    • Appeal
    • Bricks and Benches
    • Corporate Support
    • Donate
    • Events >
      • Centennial Gala
      • Golf Tournament
    • Gift Guide
    • Monthly Giving
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Wish List
  • Parties, Rentals & Weddings
    • Birthdays
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Rates and Details
    • Preferred Vendors
    • Preferred Wedding Vendors
    • Event Guidelines
  • Volunteer
    • Interns
  • En Espanol
  • Buy Tickets