2015 PWC Gala & Auction

Night in the Woods - 2015 Gala & Auction

On November 7, 2015, friends and supporters of the Piedmont Wildlife Center (PWC) gathered at the Levin Center in Durham, NC to help raise money for the educational, conservation and wildlife assistance programs sponsored by the PWC.

The 14th Annual Celebrate Wildlife Gala & Auction featured an amazing array of items in the auction, delicious food, and great music by Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez, and the band, Blue Star Travelers.

Champion auctioneer and NC native, Becky Tarlton, presided over the live auction. Thank you, Becky, for participating in our event.

Thanks to our donors and bidders, the Auction was very successful, and the proceeds will go a long way in funding our programs next year.

Support the efforts of the Piedmont Wildlife Center
Send your donation today to: 364 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event a success,
and to Paperhand Puppets for the use of their giant barred owl puppet (shown in this year's banner above and in Scenes). Join us in 2016!

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Some of our animal ambassadors joined us throughout the evening.

"Willow", the Red-Shouldered Hawk made her debut at this year's Gala

"Penelope" Opossum

"Jade", the Greenish Rat Snake

"Miracle" the Silky Ringneck Dove

Crowd-pleaser, "Otus" the Screech Owl



"Bellatrix" the Great Horned Owl



"Athena" the Barred Owl

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The Piedmont Wildlife Center's auction included a diverse and appealing selection of items. Bidding events included a silent auction, live auction, raffles, lucky owls and more. People could place bids before the Gala, and even bid remotely during the event if they couldn't attend. Thank you to all the individuals and groups who donated items.

Animal themes were readily evident in much of the donated artwork.





Items for the Home and Garden were plentiful, and could be found in many categories, like Arts & Crafts, Health & Beauty and even Animals.



























The offerings in Sports and Outdoors catered to a wide array of needs and interests.





Donated items included goods and services for our animal friends, as well as household items inspired by nature.











Generous donors supplied a variety of travel and entertainment options. Opportuntiies included domestic and international trips, interactions with celebrities, visits to local attractions, cultural events, and much more.





More wildlife-themed items were sprinkled throughout all categories.



























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Events like the Benefit Gala & Auction are made possible by our sponsors and volunteers. Thank you to the bidders, and everyone who helped make this event a success.

Guests placed raffle tickets in bowls corresponding to specialty items and events. Winners of the First Bidder, Scavenger Hunt, Guess the Feathers and Night Owl Necklace games won Kindle Fires or Ipad devices, and bottles of Mystic Bourbon.









Technology was an important part of the event. Bidding was allowed in advance of the Gala. Bidders could use their PCs and/or smart devices to place their bids. Assistance was readily available from Gesture Mobile Auctions, the managers of the silent auction.

Representatives from Gesture Digital Bidding.







Auctioneer, Becky Tarlton, started the Live Auction with a one-of-a-kind painting by PWC ambassador, "Jade" the Geenish Rat Snake.







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Each year the Piedmont Wildlife honors a deserving young person, adult and business who have made environmentally-significant contributions throughout the year.

Kearra Bryant received the Youth Environmental Leadership Award for her leadership in and out of school.



Sarah Haggerty and Frank Phoenix introduced Megan Toben, recipient of the Adult Environmental Leadeship Award for her work training future leaders.




Former employee, Anna Johnston, accepted the Business Environmental Leadership Award on behalf of Top of the Hill Brewery and Distillery for their environmentally-conscious practices.

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Musicians, Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez

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	PWC Director Gail Abrams and Board member, Bill Lee







































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The Levin Center in Durham hosted this year's Benefit Gala & Auction. Many, many volunteers are responsible for the success of the evening and for the many programs and events offered by the Piedmont Wildlife Center. We are so grateful for their enthusiasm and efforts.

Guests were greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne, and the smiling faces of volunteers.



Volunteers were busy before, during and long after the event.






































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See photos from other events.



2014 Gala & Auction	Join Us in 2016 for the Gala and for all our other programs throughout the year.
2013 Bioblitz	2013 Gala & Auction

2012 Spring Festival	2012 Gala

One of the Many Interesting and Educational Classes Offered by PWC Throughout the Year Learning Modern and Traditional Ways to Carve Gourds	2011 Gala