Fundraising Events


	Be sure to check back soon to learn more about our 2011 Gala ~ plans are already in the works to make it a BIG one!!!

May 15th 2010 marked the date of our annual gala, a 10 year Anniversary for EARS and could not have been more successful with a RECORD BREAKING $100,000 raised this evening!

A very special thanks to our evening’s sponsors, we couldn’t support EARS without them!

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	Jim Vanderzwaan, KSBW Weather PLUS+ Lead Forecaster for KSBW TV Action News-8 was once again our MC along with his beautiful wife Jeri Vanderzwaan, a tradition we hope will carry on a very long time for EARS.

“Somebody’s Hero”

Vickey Overstreet (rt) was recognized for her dedication and generous donations to the animals of Wild Things.

Our goal this year was to recognize and reward a few EARS donors who we deemed “Somebody’s Hero”.

These folks were special in the eyes of the EARS Board of Directors for their generous contribution of their time, efforts and financial generosity towards EARS and other community organizatons.

Frank Degnan is a personal friend and instructor to EARS directors, Charlie and Heather Sammut. Frank donates his time and expertise to afford physically challenged individuals the opportunity to scuba dive, a program very dear to Charlie and Heather and deserving of the “Sombody’s Hero” Award.

Carl and Charlotte Muia were credited for their contribution to EARS that made the adoption of our newest arrival, “Malaika”, possible.

Suzy and Bobby Greenberg enabled EARS to adopt “Kristy and Paula”, our second adoption. Their recognition for such was long overdue..


		Our new Special Event Structure was everything we hoped it would be and made even more enchanting with the decorative talents of Eventscapes ~ we can’t thank them enough.

In ten years, we’ve never seen dancing like we saw this evening ~ we credit the band. If you’re looking for some authentic Italian music for your event, call us, we’ll hook you up with Anthony Lane and Mike Marotta Jr.. You won’t regret it!

“Earl” the elephant (left) was once again in rare form also on the dance floor this year.


	The volunteers of EARS, the heartbeat of our event. Special thanks to the volunteers of EARS, Wild Things, Oxton Kennels and Vision Quest Ranch.


	And then of course there’s the best part of the evening, the elephants and you don’t get any closer to one than at this event for the directors of EARS truly believe that the best way to solicit support for elephants is to let people meet them.


	Our 2009 Gala


	BECAUSE IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE MANY WHO HAVE ATTENDED ONE OF THESE EVENTS IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW THAT OUR GALAS ARE UNLIKE ANY OTHER AND WE’VE PULLED OUT ALL THE BIG GUNS FOR THIS ONE!!! OUR EVENT THIS YEAR IS was on MAY 16TH and was without a doubt, a record breaking good time for all who attended!!! For information on attending our next one, be sure to contact the EARS office at 831)455-2447


	Special thanks to some of our 2009 event Food sponsors


	Official Wine Sponsors


	&


	Please click here to recognize and learn about our many other sponsors who make our event the success it is so well known for.

Well, the photos are still trickling in but this was by far one of our favorites for it sums up how we get it done and why it gets done so well. These are the incredible volunteers and caretakers of EARs who join together one evening every year to convince over 300 guests that they are really professional party coordinators, decorators, hosts and hostesses. They do that good a job and we could not be more proud to call them our friends.

What’s a Hoe Down without cattle, and EARS director Kenny Beck and wife Kristy stand proudly with one of our more special bovine residents, “Elmo”, a miniature zebu joining us for the evening.

Our host and hostess, Jim and Jeri Vanderzwaan are becoming a tradition we hope will carry on for many year’s to come. They give our event the hometown flavor we our guests compliment us on.

What can we say,,, the decision to bring in the “mechanical bull” was a tough one but choosing the photos to grace our website of the beautiful cowgirls who chose to ride it was even more difficult. WOW!!!

Robin Mavrides(left) and Wendy Walker (below) made this event a true spectator sport this evening.

A very special thanks to Meredith Crews for the use of her VERY special Pink Caddy that has adorned the walls or our tent so many times.

(Lft)Yet another EARS tradition, Chef Mark Ayers addresses the crowd from atop “Butch” to anounce the evening’s menu so generously donated by Hyatt Regency, Monterey.

(Rt) Mark Bastis, Gen. Mrg. of Hyatt Regency Monterey is recognized for his valuable support of EARS. We could not do this event without him.

(Rt) A special tribute to the Shake family for all their support and generous donations to the elephants of EARS.

(Lft) A special moment between father and son as Tony Sammut receives a specail award from son and EARS Director, Charlie Sammut for being one of EARS most generous donors ever.


	(Rt) Dr. Jim Dacus (with guest Lisa Johnson) receives an award for his years of support and for bringing us EARS volunteer Angela “Ferret” Dacus (lft), a valuable asset to the team.




		Our event WOULD NOT have been the same without the generous donation and talents of our special friends from Eventscapes... Check them out for your event at www.eventscapesinc.com




	Our 2008 Gala


	*A Masquerade Ball at the Pink Elephant Lounge*

Above: Once again the entrance to our “Pink Elephant Lounge is adorned with a beautiful pink Caddy compliments of EARS donor Meredith Crews.

Rt.: Our very own “Earl” the elephant goes masquerade with EARS donor Rachel Blue


	Never has the interior of the Lounge looked so beautiful, thanks to the many EARS donors and volunteers as well as the efforts our new special donor, Hyatt Regency Monterey.


	Hyatt also brought us Regency Catering which turned our temporary kitchen into a something its never been before!


	What better place for a family reunion than our event this evening.




	Above Left to Right: EARS Volunteer Jason Miller, Dr. Murray Fowler and EARS Director, Steve Johnson

Dr. Murray Fowler was a very special guest to many that evening. Dr. Fowler has authored and co-authored many papers and books that are used to today in veterinary colleges across the country about the health and well being of elephants.

To many animal professionals, he is a legend in veterinary medicine and it was an honor to have him join us this evening.


	The live music donated by Yvette Nsinnlyyah Link was the perfect ambiance to the event.


	Special thanks to EARS donors Mike Borg and Mike Eremeyeff for helping put together this incredible 1/18 scale hay sale display. It worked guys!!! aaaaaaa


	Of course we had the typical casino games to entertain our guests...


		... as well as some not so typical casino games... EARS director, Vickey Overstreet and Wild Thing’s monkey, Forrest, did their part in keeping the “monkey bingo” going.


		Ferret Racing is always a crowd pleaser ~ a real noisy one!!!


		And of course, Butch spun his elephant sized Wheel of Fortune throughout the reception.. ...when he wasn’t too busy posing for all the pretty girls ~ and there were a BUNCH of them at this event!!!.


	(left to right) Mark, Mandy, Bart and Wendy sell very special raffle tickets that allowed one lucky winner that evening to remove ANY live auction item them wanted from the menu.


	Sabu Shake Jr. (left) and his lovely wife won the raffle and generously donated the item back to the live auction to generate more income for the elephants. Those who know Sabu and the Shake family are all too familiar with that generosity.


	A VERY SPECIAL thanks to Mr and Mrs JimVanderzwaan (left of EARS director Charlie Sammut and Butch) from KSBW Television for being our Master of Ceremonies this evening. We hope to make it a tradition.


	Announcing the dinner menu from atop of an elephant was both a FIRST for Hyatt Regency Monterey’s Executive Chef, Mark Ayers and the guests at the Pink Elephant Lounge but again we hope to make it yet another tradition at this annual event.


	(above) A very special thanks to radio celebrity Bill Kelly of Mix 106.5 and KSBY’s (as well as EARS director)Michele Allen for helping keep the evening moving along on its very busy schedule.

		Another first for EARS was the very unique entertainment provided by Gregangelo & Veloocity Circus.


	(left)EARS directors Heather Greaux and Charlie Sammut recognize some very EARS special donors/award recipients with the help of Charlie’s daughter, Briana Sammut (below)


		Yet another EARS tradition ~ having the most beautiful auctioneer on the planet thanks to the incredible talents of Carla Harrison. Anyone interested in Carla’s incredible talents for their event should contact us at EARS for her information.

	(below) EARS donor, Tony Sammut enjoys the wrath of Carla during the live auction.


	Chefs Tene Shake and Mark Ayers are brought center stage to battle it out during their very special donated dinner evening for our auction. This auction item had the entire audience cheering.


	Other ways to support EARS

Our LISA MEMORIAL BRICK program is designed and dedicated to funding Lisa’s legacy - the adoption of Paula & Kristi. The bricks can be purchased in memory of anyone or anything that meant as much to you as our beloved Lisa meant to us. They can be purchased to show your support of EARS or the support of your business or organization. We need to raise $180,000 to assure that Paula and Kristi will remain with Butch and Buffy at EARS. The sale of all the bricks in the path will do just that.


	Space is limited and our goal is tremendous but we hope all will participate in the very worthwhile program. To down load a flyer on purchaing a brick, please click on the link below. For more information on Lisa and her memorial, please click here.




	In memory our beloved Lisa


	We really do need your help, now more than ever. You can help make a difference while at the same time commemorating a special friend in your life. Please click left to help us help these truly deserving and majestic animals. All funds from this project are dedicated to the adoption of Paula & Kristi.


	*Click here to check out some photos from our previous year’s events...*


	Be sure to check out our EARS & GEARS Family Day and Car Show fundraising events for the elephants - Click here for more info...