I hope this blog finds you still basking in the glow of our incredible Wildlife Wonders Gala for Toucan Rescue Ranch. What an unforgettable night it was, thanks to each and every one of you who made it so special!

I wanted to take a moment to personally reach out and extend the biggest, warmest thank you imaginable for your unwavering support and enthusiasm at the event. You all played such a crucial role in making our gala a roaring success, and I’m truly grateful for your incredible generosity and dedication to our cause.

Let’s give a huge round of applause to our amazing event sponsors, whose support was absolutely essential in bringing our wildest dreams to life: Toucan Badge Sponsors: Nashville Zoo & The Van Leuven Company. Sloth Badge Sponsor: Heritage Bank of Nevada Division of Glacier Bank. Owl Badge Sponsor: Chala bags

And to our fantastic guests who brought the energy and enthusiasm that made the night truly special, your presence meant the world to us! Your ticket sales raised an incredible $12,351, proving once again that together, we can make a real difference in wildlife conservation.

A heartfelt thank you to our keynote speakers, Joan Embery and Dr. Michelle Oakley. Joan captivated us with her lifelong commitment to the importance of zoo and rescue centers alike and her tireless advocacy for the preservation of our natural world. Dr. Oakley, known for her expertise in veterinary medicine and her role as a National Geographic TV host, shared insights into TRR’s medical program and the critical role it plays in saving the lives of injured animals and providing the tools and education for generations of veterinarians. Your words inspired and moved us all.

A heartfelt shoutout to our dedicated board members for their incredible support and tireless efforts. Your passion and commitment to our cause shine through in everything you do, and I’m endlessly grateful for your support.

Let’s not forget the incredible team at Charity Auction and our rockstar auctioneer from The Van Leuven Company, who helped us raise an impressive $17,395. Your enthusiasm and dedication were absolutely contagious!

And a massive thank you to the phenomenal staff at Nashville Zoo, who went above and beyond to ensure our event was nothing short of magical. Special thanks to Amanda Lynch, the Group Sales Director, for her invaluable support and guidance. An extra special mention goes to Zoo Executive Director Rick Schwartz and Zoo Veterinarian Director Heather Schwartz for their involvement and hosting us for a great meet-and-greet with their staff. A big thank you to Rick for believing in our project and helping us forge this incredible partnership.

I’m beyond thrilled to share the news that we’re in the process of becoming an official zoo partner of Nashville Zoo’s Wild Works Conservation program, with a pledge of $20,000. This is such an exciting development and a testament to the incredible impact we’re making together!

After all expenses were paid, we’re over the moon to announce that we raised an impressive $29,641. Your generosity and support know no bounds, and I couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of you.

Last but certainly not least, let’s give a huge round of applause to Ben Danaher for his incredible performance during Cocktail Hour. Your music brought an extra layer of magic to our event, and I’m endlessly grateful for your talent and support.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your unwavering support and dedication mean the world to us, and together, we’re making a real difference for animals in need.

With all my gratitude and love,

Zara Palmer
Event Organizer and Marketing Advisor
[email protected]
Toucan Rescue Ranch