The 2024 Emporia Friends of the Zoo Roundup Auction managed to wrangle up a record-setting fundraising total Friday night.
With more than 180 items up for grabs between the live and silent auctions, the event brought in a total of $143,940. David Traylor Zoo Director Lisa Keith says she and other organizers had a feeling the event would be a record night just based on ticket sales alone which far surpassed sales from any prior year.
Keith believes the ongoing improvements at the zoo through the Oasis Capital Campaign, along with its ever-expanding list of community events played a major role in spurring interest and attendance at this year’s auction.
In addition to being the zoo’s largest annual fundraising event, Keith says it is a great opportunity to generate excitement for other upcoming activities throughout the calendar year.
The top three selling items from Friday’s auction included:
*Carved, engraved Dueling Pistols with consecutive numbers, never been fired – $8,750
*Kansas City Chiefs Package for 2, Dinner & Tour of Chiefs Stadium – $5,000
*Mountain Lion Sponsorship & Mountain Lion canvas print – $4,400
Proceeds from the auction will go to support the zoo’s various education programs, its education coordinator position and upcoming community events such as the Spring Break at the Zoo event set for March 11-15.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
