Lake View Terrace : Fund-Raiser Benefits Wildlife Waystation
A recent fund-raiser hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan generated nearly $60,000 for the Wildlife Waystation, the Lake View Terrace-based facility that rescues and rehabilitates exotic animals.
“I can’t say enough how important [such fund-raisers] are,” said Jo Hunt, public relations spokeswoman for the facility. “It will provide for caging, food, staff--it will go to a variety of different places.”
Guests mingled with bears, mountain lions and African lion cubs, chimps, birds and reptiles during the luncheon event held at the mayor’s home in May. The $60,000 collected included a $10,000 contribution from the Riordan Foundation.
About 1,000 animals are now housed at the 160-acre refuge in the Angeles National Forest, and about 4,000 pass through its doors during a typical year, Hunt said. Creatures there range from birds to bears to baby turtles.
Recent additions include a family of once-malnourished tigers rescued from an Irish farm and a group of two cougars, a bear and a bobcat that faced eviction when a Nevada wildlife center shut down.
Organizers plan to make the fund-raiser an annual event. Celebrity guests for the inaugural event included Drew Barrymore, Dyan Cannon and Betty White.
More information about the Wildlife Waystation is available by calling (818) 899-5201.
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