Wildscreen Arkive Brings TV's Jack Hanna to Chicago for fundraiser
In support of Wildscreen Arkive and a special new online feature "WildChicago" that will showcase the diverse natural world in the Windy City, Arkive, a global initiative of the nonprofit Wildscreen, is hosting a reception and dinner in Chicago to support the conservation of endangered species in Illinois.
On Thursday, June 19, the reception and dinner will take place at the Racquet Club of Chicago, 1365 N. Dearborn Parkway.
Wildscreen Arkive has captured TV personality Jack Hanna, host of TV's "Into the Wild," as a special guest. Hanna will bring some of his favorite animal friends along with him from the Columbus Zoo, expected to include a cheetah, the world's fastest land animal; a palm civet; and a black-footed penguin.
Arkive has built a vast, unique and dynamic treasury of global wildlife media - film, photography and biological fact files. Arkive is developing the special feature, "WildChicago," to showcase the diverse wildlife and nature in Chicago, including rare but native species as well as invasive species such as the Asian carp that threaten the Great Lakes.
"We're thrilled to help spread the mission of Arkive - a true leader in the global conservancy effort - to people throughout Illinois," said Cindy Galvin. "By sharing all that we have, we help to empower schools, teachers, families, students and everyone else to better understand, value and protect our extraordinary natural world."
The organization also seeks to connect and create Arkive education programs that align with state and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) standards for use by the 6,539 public, private and charter schools in Illinois, free of charge.
The Wildscreen Arkive reception and dinner is co-chaired by Cindy and Chris Galvin (chairman of Harrison Street Real Estate Capital) and Sue and Terry Graunke (principal, chairman and co-founder of Lake Capital).
Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, has served as host of weekly TV programs such as: "Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown" and "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild." He has published many books for children and contributes commentary as an animal expert on various local and national news programs. Hanna has been a guest on TV shows on numerous occasions, notably "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Larry King Live," "Nancy Grace" and "Hollywood Squares."
All proceeds from the reception and dinner will benefit Wildscreen Arkive, which is spearheaded in the U.S. by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Wildscreen USA and Arkive's new online feature "WildChicago." Reception and dinner are open to the public. To purchase tickets, email lisa@lwcoinc.com or call 630-752-9661.