Saturday’s 50th Anniversary “Groovy Gathering” was a smashing success: Thanks to generous supporters and sponsors, International Bird Rescue raised $310,000!
More than 150 participants joined via Zoom on Saturday night May 15 to help celebrate the wildlife organization’s half-century of saving waterbirds in crisis. Attendees learned about how the organization was hatched following a catastrophic 1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill.
The evening started off with revelers enjoying a sangria themed pre-show with the rollicking group of drag queens called Drag Taste. They also rubbed virtual elbows with other wildlife lovers at the speaker series, played trivia games, and cozied up with others at the Bellbottom Bar during this 1970s themed event. (*A special thanks to Elizabeth (Beth) Flint, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for her presentation on Laysan Albatrosses on Midway Atoll).
“We have stood on the shoulders of giants over the past fifty years of life-saving work,” said JD Bergeron, Bird Rescue’s Executive Director. “Tonight, we are lifted by our supporters even higher and, with that generosity, we are excited to direct our focus to the next fifty years of solving wildlife challenges.”
Donors bid on one-of-a-kind items and experiences at our silent auction. Lucky winners zoomed away with vacation rentals from Lake Tahoe, Catalina Island, and Galveston, Texas. One of the most popular items, included a lunch and tour of the Gottlieb butterfly garden in Beverly Hills.
Bird Rescue would like to thank all of our supporters – and especially our wonderful sponsors including Dawn Dish Soap, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Valero, The Estate of Jean Aubuchon Cinader, Chevron El Segundo Refinery and Chevron Richmond Refinery, and Berger and Jones Insurance Agency.
There are more 50th events to come in 2021! Bird Rescue will be holding a virtual open house July 12-24, Yes We Peli-CAN run/walk in early September, and an October 17th Wildlife Benefit Concert at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, CA (in-person, Covid-permitting) You can sign up for alerts here
