Diane Sprenger & Terry Budny
The grand dinner tent
Jackie Preuss & Paul Panici
Jackie Preuss & Paul Panici
Diane Dygert, Stuart Strahl & Romana Malinowski
Jeanne Brown, Susan Crown & William Kunkler III
Rob & Stacy Johnson
Betsy Bramsen, Cherryl Thomas & Anida “Cookie” Cohen Rob & Stacy Johnson
Allison Jennings & Merrick Elfman
THE PARTY Chaired by Romana Malinowski of Hinsdale, the Women’s Board and the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society attracted 625 business and civic leaders from Chicagoland to celebrate its 32nd annual gala, Animals Around the Whirl, at the Brookfield Zoo. THE HIGHLIGHTS Guests were treated to the exotic experience of interacting with multiple amazing creatures, such as a wallaby and a two-toed sloth, to celebrate the zoo’s premiere of its Animal Ambassador Program. Attendees enjoyed a three-course dinner catered by Food For Thought and activities including a paddle raise, raffle, live auction and dancing to the music of Maggie Speaks. THE BOTTOM LINE Fabulous auction prizes such as two round-trip tickets to France, an 18K white gold and diamond bracelet, and an ultimate Chicago sports experience featuring VIP seating in the Cubs dugout for batting practice helped raise an impressive $1.34 million to support the Society’s school sponsorships, animal care, conservation programs and special projects. Photography by Violet Cominek, Jim Schulz and Kelly Tone
Photography by: