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SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund Raises $272,000 in 'Wildnight' Dinner
Non-Profit Charitable Foundation Supports Wildlife Conservation Around the World
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund last night raised more than a quarter of a million dollars in support animal rescue, wildlife conservation and environmental education during the foundation's inaugural "WildNIGHT" dinner.
Event organizers estimate that 400 people attended the $250-a-plate fundraiser at SeaWorld Orlando. SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund President Virginia Busch, zoologist Jack Hanna, and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina hosted the event.
"WildNIGHT was a tremendous success," Busch said. "The generosity of our corporate partners like Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., AAA Auto Club South, International Speedway Corporation, Peckham, Guyton, Albers and Viets (a St. Louis-based architecture, design and planning firm) and DDB Chicago (an international advertising and marketing agency) is inspiring. These donations will allow us to continue to support the study and conservation of species around the world."
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, created in 2003 by the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, is a registered non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives around the world. Its primary areas of focus are habitat and species conservation, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and environmental education.
Unlike most charities, 100 percent of the money donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is distributed to environmental programs. All administrative costs, including fund development, staff salaries, equipment and facilities, are borne by Busch Entertainment Corp. (BEC), the theme park division of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
Anheuser-Busch and BEC also are the Fund's largest donors, accounting for more than 75 percent of the money collected and distributed. SeaWorld Orlando donated the use of its Ports of Call banquet venue, along with food, décor, gifts and staffing. Anheuser-Busch Companies. and Orlando- and Lakeland, Fla.- based Anheuser-Busch distributors City Beverages and Bernie Little Distributors each donated $10,000. Busch Gardens Tampa donated $5,000.
Since its inception the Fund has distributed $1.2 million to more than 100 projects in 30 countries. The Fund's next grant awards are scheduled for October 7.
"The response to the Fund from the community, our theme park guests, Anheuser-Busch employees and distributors and business partners has been overwhelming and deeply gratifying," Busch said. "The success of last night's event illustrates the deep commitment of individuals and corporations in this country to preserve the environment."
In addition to speeches from Busch, Julie Scardina, SeaWorld General Manager Jim Atchison and TV personality Jack Hanna, guests were entertained by video presentations of Fund projects around the world and more than 40 exotic animals from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks, including a tiger, cougar, bison, zebra and bald eagle. The event included a silent auction that alone raised nearly $20,000. Representatives of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars as well as the NBA's Orlando Magic also attended WildNIGHT.
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomes the birth of baby Geri into the park's black rhino population. Busch Gardens' veterinarians conduct blood studies on the black rhino both in the park and out in the wild to better understand the health of the endangered species.
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