Fox Valley Wildlife Center auction is Feb. 7
Staff and volunteers of the Fox Valley Wildlife center are hoping to raise $15,000 at the center's annual winter dinner and auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Riverside Reception and Banquets in Geneva. Last year's event raised about $13,000.
Tickets are $40. All proceeds go toward rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals, such as raccoons, squirrels and foxes. The center is in the Elburn Woods Forest Preserve off Route 38 west of Route 47 and business is booming.
"The majority of the animals brought to us have been impacted by humans in some way," said Andrea Krueger of Campton Hills. She volunteers at the center as a licensed rehabber and is a member of its board of directors.
"Some are orphaned when the mother is hit by a car, or removed from an attic. Some are hurt when they're attacked by dogs or cats, and some are poisoned. We need to give them a second chance when they don't fare well."
Krueger said the center receives many baby animals in the spring, when most of them are born. With more and more open space targeted for development, the problem of injured and orphaned wild life is growing, she says.
Krueger also said that utilities cost the center $4,000 last year, an added expense. It was the first year that utilities were not paid by the Kane County Forest Preserves due to a change in the contract. The forest preserves provides the space for the center rent free.
The Feb. 7 event features a live and silent auction, a cash raffle and presentations. The winners of the annual photo contest will be announced and entries will be on display.
Auction items include a one-week vacation for up to ten in Carol Bay in the Virgin Islands, and a behind the scenes tour of Lincoln Park Zoo for six.
The center also raises money through a spring barn sale, a summer golf outing, memberships, and donations. The center is also looking for secluded release sites.
"We want to release the animals where they won't be a nuisance," Krueger said. "If anyone has a lot of land and is interested, we'd like to hear from them."
To purchase tickets, call the center at (630) 365-3800 or write to Fox Valley Wildlife Center, P.O. Box 385, Elburn, IL 60119.
Information is also available online at foxvalleywildlife.org.