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Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center moves Wild Night for Wildlife fundraiser to virtual format

The online auction opens on Wednesday and closes Sept. 22. The live Zoom event from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday will feature auctioneer Don Martin auctioning off bigger-ticket items like vacation (and “staycation”) packages, including one to Vail and one to Delray Beach, Florida.
Lisa Truesdale
2020_09_15_LL_greenwood_wildlife1
Photo by Ken Forman / For Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Social distancing and mask-wearing are simply not possible when you’re hosting 300 people who are eating, drinking and talking in a shared space. Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center wasn’t about to cancel its Wild Night for Wildlife fundraiser, though, since the annual event raises crucial funds for its rehabilitation and education programs. 

“We decided in early June that we were going to switch to a virtual event,” said Linda Tyler, the center’s executive director. “It has been a huge learning curve for us, because every minute this year has to be scripted and carefully planned. There’s no going with the flow.”

There are, however, a few benefits to hosting the event exclusively online, Tyler said. “The benefit for us is that our expenses are much lower, given that we’re not paying for a venue and dinner, and we hope to raise more than in previous years.”2020_09_15_LL_greenwood_wildlife2Photo by Ken Forman / For Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

The virtual format means event participants get to enjoy a few benefits, too. Registration is completely free (though donations are accepted), and they’ll have a full week to submit their bids for online auction items. 

The online auction opens on Wednesday and closes Sept. 22. The live Zoom event from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday will feature auctioneer Don Martin auctioning off bigger-ticket items like vacation (and “staycation”) packages, including one to Vail and one to Delray Beach, Florida. Those who register online will receive the necessary Zoom access information prior to the event, and an auction preview will be available beginning at 5:15 p.m. 

View a program for the event and a list of live auction items here. 

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, located on Colo. 66 between Lyons and Longmont, opened in 1982. The center treats thousands of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife every year, including birds, rabbits, squirrels and raccoons. It also operates the Greenwood Wildlife Thrift Shop and Consignment Gallery in Boulder at 3600 Arapahoe Ave. During non-COVID times, it presents educational programs that teach children and adults how to co-exist humanely with wildlife.

2020_09_15_LL_greenwood_wildlife3Photo by Ken Forman / For Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center