Page 39 - Impact Report_2020

(Left): Michael and Melissa Canning,
2020 Whirl Host Committee Chairs and
2021 Whirl Co-chairs
(Below): Barbara Bradford and
Stephanie Bryan Kangas, Women’s Board
Executive Committee, at the Whirl Kickoff
Party at A. Marek Fine Jewelry

2020 Special

Fundraising Events

Women’s Board Hosts 39 Annual Whirl
th
The Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society, in
partnership with the Society’s Board of Trustees, hosted its 39
th
annual Whirl on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Due to the onslaught
of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, the event was
transitioned to a virtual event, known as the Virtu-Whirl.
Co-chairs of the event were Women’s Board First Vice President
Stephanie Bryan Kangas and Randall G. Vickery, secretary of the
Chicago Zoological Society’s Board of Trustees.
The event grossed an astounding $1.3 million to support the
animals at Brookfield Zoo, as well as the Society’s conservation,
animal welfare, education, and research programs. The original
theme of the event, “Rain Forests of the Whirl,” celebrated the
conservation efforts around the world in support of the animals
and habitats of rain forests. Although the event was transitioned to
a virtual format, the rain forest theme was celebrated throughout.
The event included an immersive silent auction and program,
which were readily accessible to our governance members and the
Brookfield Zoo community.

CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | 2020 IMPACT REPORT 37