VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Thank you for your interest in volunteer fundraising to support Henry Vilas Zoo! Your fundraising effort will make you a Friend of the Zoo.

Each Friend of the Zoo has a special connection to Henry Vilas Zoo, whether through a lifetime of memories at the Zoo, an opportunity to see the Zoo through the eyes of a child, an experience with our Zoo Education Program, or a general interest in animal and habitat conservation. That special connection inspires you and other volunteers to take action.
A volunteer fundraiser is an event conducted by volunteers and/or community partners to raise funds and community awareness for Henry Vilas Zoo and the work Zoo staff's work to provide a best-in-class experience for our animals and our visitors, as well as, inspiring a commitment to conservation.

Events should complement the mission of Henry Vilas Zoo and enhance the relationship of your zoo with the communities we serve.

Fundraisers can be as simple as a "Jeans Day" or bake sale or as grand as an auction or golf event.

If you or your group is interested in the possibility of planning a volunteer fundraising event, link to Fundraising Guidelines to review important planning information and Fundraising Proposal to submit your idea.


UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS

Photography Exhibit/Sale to Benefit the Zoo
Local photographer Steve Wetzel has snapped fabulous photos of Henry Vilas Zoo's animals, scenes around Madison, and a wide variety of other subjects. Through May and June, Steve will be exhibiting his work at The Gardens Senior Living Community at 602 N. Segoe Road. The photographs can be viewed Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00.

An artist reception will be held on Wednesday, May 15th 5:30-7:00 and everyone is welcome to attend. Photographs may be purchased that evening or throughout the exhibit for pick-up at the end of the exhibit.

Artist Statement:
When asked to exhibit here at The Gardens I decided I wanted to put a wide variety of work on display so that hopefully all that take time to come and view these images will find some that really speak to them.

The images in this exhibit are quite diverse. There are a variety of subjects taken at many different locations: landscapes, trees, antique machinery, birds, old buildings, rural scenes, zoo animals, and cityscapes.

Photography is one of my favorite ways to express what I see and feel. These images have captured not only sights I saw, but also the emotions I felt when at these locations. I hope those captured emotions are transferred to your heart as you explore these windows into the world.

I view photography as a way for me to give back. You too can be a part of that giving.

For every purchased image, 20% of the proceeds will be donated to Vilas Zoo. I love my time photographing at our Zoo and think it is a wonderful resource in our community.



Giving Back With All Celebrations
Each month throughout 2013, Celebrations Entertainment will feature a different non-profit organization on their Facebook Page, with a link to the organization's website. When Celebrations customers mention the tile, 5% of all Celebrations sales (up to $1000.00) will go to that non-profit! In July, the beneficiary is Henry Vilas Zoo!

THE IMPACT OF FUNDRAISING
Henry Vilas Zoo has many different areas where fundraising is needed. These range from New Exhibit Development, Animal Welfare, Community Outreach, and Education. The Community Outreach Director will assist you in finding an appropriate area for the proceeds of your fundraising event. You can be assured that once you have chosen the designation of your funds, 100 percent of the proceeds will be utilized in that area.

With our assistance, volunteer fundraising can be exciting, rewarding and simple. Just read some of the success stories of others who have helped to raise funds for Henry Vilas Zoo.

Here are some examples of businesses and organizations that have helped us in the past. Continue to watch this page for testimonials about their experiences!

• Paddle for Polar Bears - Paddleboard Specialists
• Mad City Mardi Gras - Liliana's Restaurant
• Percentage of Monthly Sales - Melting Pot Restaurant
• Employee Fundraising Challenge - Mounds Pet Food Warehouse.
• Birthday Party Cash Gift Collections - many Madison-area Children!
• School-wide "Befriend-an-Animal" Challenge - Van Hise Elementary School
• Monroe Street Chocolate Walk - Monroe Street Merchants
• Model Train Show - S Guage Wisconsin
• Steve Wetzel Photography Exhibit at Yola's Cafe & Madison Sourdough Co.
• Globe University Vet Tech Student "Zooraiser" and Movie Day
• Physicians Plus Donated $811 to the Zoo, $1 for each new Facebook Friend they added during the lead up to their January Polar Bear Dash.
• Johnson Creek Elementary School's Principal's Advisory Group raised over $2000 for the Animal Health Center through their student-led on-campus fundraising efforts.

SUBMITTING FUNDRAISING PROPOSALS
If you have a fundraising idea, please print, complete, and send the application at this link to the attention of the Community Outreach Director, Friends of the Zoo, 606 S. Randall Avenue, Madison, WI 53715 or lynn@vilaszoo.org. Please don't hesitate to call our office - (608) 258-9490 - with questions or to set up a meeting to discuss your proposal prior to submission.

How We Can Help

• Provide planning assistance
• Assist with event promotion in the Friends of the Zoo newsletter, E-newsletter, and local media, and Social Media.