FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
WEBSITE:
sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/ritz
NEWS RELEASE
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 – (May 28, 2021) 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 now one week away, and the public is encouraged to get a head start by taking part in the R·I·T·Z online silent auction that opens today. 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.
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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.
