On Friday April 17 from 6:30-10:30 pm, the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge will host its eighteen Annual Spring for Wildlife Gala. The event will be held at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Union Township, NJ. Proceeds will benefit Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, a charitable organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of New Jersey’s orphaned and injured wildlife since 1986. Guests will partake in a four-course dinner, raffles and a silent auction. There will also be special presentations to build awareness about wild animal habitats.

Jewelry, portraits and paintings, hot air balloon rides, Walt Disney World tickets, gift certificates, golf packages, gift baskets and more will all be auctioned off, said Tracy Leaver, the Executive Director of Woodlands Wildlife Refuge.

New additions to this year’s event will include special live entertainment from the Riverside Organ Quartet. VIP guests will also be entered into an exclusive drawing for a private tour for four of Woodlands or the rare opportunity to join Woodlands on Bear Well Day.

There will be a Live Donation Challenge, which is a way for the organization to engage the audience into pledging to donate different amounts for specific needs live and on the spot. The proceeds from this year Donation Challenge will go towards Feed the Need.

“Feed the Need will emphasize our needs including food, formula, general care items, medical supplies, equipment, and facility needs”, said Leaver.

This event also offers the opportunity for sponsorship and advertising from companies.

Leaver said, “Most of our items are donated by generous businesses but we do receive several things from the general public.”

Last years gala was a huge success. The Dave Antonow Jazz Quartet was featured and guests had in a great time as they partook in the dinner and auction.

Following last year’s event, this year’s menu will include fish, pork, chicken and vegetarian options along with a basket of sweet potato fries for each table.

The mission of Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is the care and release of orphaned and injured native wildlife back to their natural habitat. They also provide educational programs about the habits and habitats of the local wildlife. Woodlands is proud of the thousands of animals it has been able to assist and release back to the wilderness. The annual gala provides a way for the public to come support the organization and wildlife whilst enjoying a spectacular evening.