SD Zoo & Safari Park Prep For 'Rendezvous' Fundraiser, Auction

SAN DIEGO, CA — The "Rendezvous In The Zoo" fundraiser for the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — an annual gala that supports the parks' wildlife mission — is set for Saturday, June 5 in a virtual format, with an accompanying online, silent auction that kicked off today.

This marks the second year the R.I.T.Z extravaganza will not be in-person, due to the pandemic. And the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said it is staying committed fueling the nonprofit’s wildlife conservation work.

“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, Wildlife Alliance CEO and president.

“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.”

The online auction, which closes at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 6, runs the starting-bid-price gamut from thousands of dollars to 20 bucks with such offers as exotic vacations, art, jewelry and even local swim lessons and cooking classes.

Among biddable items: limited-edition print by artist Romero Britto (starting bid $7,500); luxury vacation-home getaway for up to eight in Manzanillo, Mexico (starting bid $6,000); New Orleans getaway ($1,500 starting bid); a Princess Diana-inspired purse( starting bid $400); two-hour, Zoom healthy cooking class for 10 ($200 starting bid); painting and footprint by Elephant "Carol" (starting bid $150); one month of swim lessons from Aqua Pros Swim School (starting bid $50); and Kids Polar Bear Fan Package ($20 starting bid).

Follow this link for action and bidding info.

The online gala begins June 5 at 7 p.m., and is free to attend once registered.

Among planned festivities: special guest appearances; live musical performances; handcrafted cocktail-making demonstrations; wildlife visits from San Diego Zoo Rady Ambassadors; and stories and updates on worldwide conservation efforts, according to organizers.

And those who register in advance will be entered in a sweepstakes to win air travel for two, to an Alaska Airlines destination of their choice.

"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," the organization said.

For locals interested in contributing to the zoo cause, donations to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance can be mailed c/o R·I·T·Z, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112 or given online here.

The work of the nonprofit conservation leader, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to across the globe, and reaches more than 1 billion people in 150 countries via news and social media, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries.

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