WildNite for Wildlife
Ohio Wildlife Center held its annual fundraiser May 17th at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Lakeside Pavilion. Nearly 375 people – and several native Ohio wild animals – attended the event. More than $230,000 was raised for the Ohio Wildlife Center’s Wildlife Hospital, the information hotline and animal rescue and emergency services. The Ohio Wildlife Center operates the state’s largest, free wild animal hospital which is funded entirely through philanthropy. In 2017, the hospital assessed and treated 5,286 wild animals, the highest number in its 33 year history.
Dr. Donald L. Burton Legacy Award
This prestigious award honors the legacy Dr. Don Burton, Ohio Wildlife Center’s founder. Don celebrated all creatures wild and was dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our wildlife. This year’s recipient of the Dr. Donald L Burton Legacy Award is The Barbara & Bill Bonner Family Foundation.
The Barbara and Bill Bonner Family Foundation has supported many of our priority projects. In addition to being the major donor for the Bonner Barn, they are the sole donor of our brand new eagle exhibit, supported our songbird aviary, supported many of our education programs, and the free community veterinary Hospital, SCRAM! Wildlife Control and much more.
Valerie is Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and hosts several of our fundraising events as well as being the Committee Chair for WildNite. Along with Valerie’s support, her husband Frank donated his time to be our construction manager throughout the Bonner Barn build, and their daughter Cassandra frequently volunteers as a photographer for the Center.
Photos:
Ohio Wildlife Center Staff
Cassandra Swiatek
Jonathon Brain
