Roger Williams raises more than $260,000

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO Overnight Program Coordinator at Nathan Rickard with team members of the gala’s new co-presenting sponsors Alex and Ani and Charity by Design: Lauren Bettencourt; Nicki Castonguay-Maher; Jenny Pereira; Kathryn Gwiazdowski; Dee Fraser; Theresa Block. / COURTESY GLORIA SO/WPRI-12
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO Overnight Program Coordinator at Nathan Rickard with team members of the gala’s new co-presenting sponsors Alex and Ani and Charity by Design: Lauren Bettencourt; Nicki Castonguay-Maher; Jenny Pereira; Kathryn Gwiazdowski; Dee Fraser; Theresa Block. / COURTESY GLORIA SO/WPRI-12

Roger Williams Park Zoo raised more than $260,000 at its recent annual fundraising event, “Zoobilee! Feasts with the Beasts.” The funds, which were raised with the support of local businesses, sponsors, a committee of community leaders and about 1,300 guests, will support the zoo’s education and conservation programs next year.
“This is one of our major fundraising efforts and along with the admissions revenue, these fundraising efforts are critical to carrying out mission and programs that provide great value to the community and are valued by the community,” said Jan Mariani, director of marketing and public relations at the zoo.
Among the zoo’s education programs are zoo camps for families and kids, a “zoomobile,” which brings education programs and animal encounters to schools, nursing homes and other places, as well as conservation programs that protect New England animals that are severely threatened and endangered.
This year’s event featured new co-presenting sponsors Alex and Ani, Charity by Design, Robert F. Stoico, and Firstfed Charitable Foundation. •

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