September 2024
Pride in Our Work
On a warm and sunny August Sunday, I was honored to attend the annual volunteer bruncheon and express GLAZA’s deep appreciation for the amazing contributions our 418 volunteers make to the life of the L.A. Zoo. Over the past year, this dedicated group donated 61,274 hours of service at the Zoo, including facilitating 458,366 separate guest encounters. A group of 53 long-time volunteers were recognized for their cumulative 183,000 hours of service; and another 45 were honored for their collective 650 years of work at the Zoo. Incredible. Please thank a volunteer on your next visit!
On Everyone’s Mind
For the next few months, all of us at GLAZA will be laser focused on making the upcoming 2024 L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow the biggest and brightest winter celebration yet! Opening on November 15 and running through January 5, this popular evening light festival will again showcase the colorful artistry of creative partner Tianyu’s silk lanterns, featuring all-new designs and including a holiday-themed section, a pollinator paradise, interactive installations, winter-loving animals, and rainforest inhabitants. Santa will return for delightful photo opportunities with our guests, for an additional fee. Online tickets to this not-to-be-missed celebration will be available to Zoo members before they go on sale to the general public. Check your email inbox for details coming soon!
The Important Question
GLAZA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in its mission to save wildlife, enrich our communities, and create connections to nature. The question that is always relevant as we approach our work is what can GLAZA do to maximize our ongoing support of the Zoo while continuing to ensure the financial strength of GLAZA that will enable us to continue this important work for years to come? Whether making a decision about our evening ticketed events, our member programs and benefits, our fundraising efforts, or our volunteers’ activities, this question is always top of mind.
