From the zebra-adorned invitation to the fashionable crowd, the 47th annual Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do was a start-to-finish success.
Held May 2 at the Audubon Zoo, the event is eagerly anticipated by New Orleanians and fans from afar with the zoo grounds becoming a set for fun, but with a purpose. Each year’s Zoo-to-Do raises funds for a specific portion of the zoo, and this year, it was the construction on the new barn for zebras, which are scheduled to return to the zoo in 2026.
As always, options abounded for cocktails and cuisine from local restaurants. The extensive silent auction offered something for everyone, and many tried their luck at the Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Pick-A-Present and Lexus luxury car raffle. The Life Atlantic as well as other popular bands, kept people entertained, with quite a few on the dance floor.
The fund-raising tally? $1.3 million dollars was raised.
Contributing to that was the Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s, held April 25 with Lauren Flower as event chair. Since their inception, Zoo-to-Do events have raised more than $40 million dollars benefiting Audubon Zoo and its conservation work.
Fun Fact: Event Chair Susu Stall was the first person to serve as chair of Zoo-To-Do for Kids (2000), then serve as chair of Zoo-To-Do.
“Audubon has always been an important part of my family’s life. We visit often and I am enjoying spending time at Audubon Zoo with my granddaughters. I’m honored to chair this iconic event in the city; its long legacy is a source of pride for our entire community,” said Stall.
