2026 ZOOBILEE GALA: BLOOMING IN THE DESERT
Presented by Rita Stec and Lance Eldred
Saturday, February 28, 2026
5:30pm – 9:00pm
Blooming in the Desert: The 2026 Zoobilee Gala Was a Night to Remember!
Thanks to your support, we raised nearly $1,650,000 to advance The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. Because of supporters like you, The Living Desert continues to be a vital force in protecting desert ecosystems and wildlife around the world. As home to more than 600 animals representing over 150 species, we are dedicated to ensuring the survival of endangered species through our global and local initiatives. Your support helps us expand our field conservation programs, educate school children, and inspire future generations to become stewards of the natural world.
Didn’t get to donate at the event? There’s still time to make a donation online today!
Enjoy the highlights from Gala 2026! Also, download your pictures as memories for the night!
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor – $100,000
Rita Stec and Lance Eldred
Diamond Sponsor – $75,000
Rick Waddell and Lesley Halverson
Platinum Sponsors – $50,000
Baltzell Family and
Michael and Stacy Schlinger Family Foundation
Gold Sponsors – $25,000 plus
Bob Archer and Chuck Hilliar
Argyros Family Foundation
H. N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation
Suz Hunt
Deborah and Arthur Jacobson
Lester Family Foundation
McGrath Family
Ritz Family Foundation
Sally Simonds – Cocktail Reception Patron
Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation
Tonamora Foundation
Marcy Tonkin – Cocktail Entertainment Patron
U.S. Bank – Dessert and Entertainment Patron
Shaughne Warnack
Table Captain Sponsors – $15,000 plus
Suzan and Bill Appel
City of Rancho Mirage
D. W. Johnston Construction, Inc.
Cathy and Bill Dickson
Karla Kjellin-Elder and Jeff Elder
Marylynn and Andy Gladstein
Stan and Ros Hack
Brooke Koehler
Edie McCarthy
Gail Dutton, Mary Jo and Al Means, and Sue and Tim Timken
Event Sponsors – $10,000 plus
Jackie and Curt Ealy
Sandy Kachlein – Event Patron
Diane and Mike Morrison – AV/Production Patron
Palm Springs Life – Media/Advertising Patron
Thomas Patrick and Stephen Rulo – Wine Patron
Jan Salta – Valet Patron
Event Sponsors – $5,000 plus
Gala Co-Chairs Nancy Stegehuis & Sandy Woodson – Invitation Patron
Anne Christensen and Arne Ness – Event Patron
Susie and Wayne Harvey – Raise the Paw Paddle Patron
Mikey Herring and Jim Phelps – Event Patron
Squire and Angie Junger – Photo Patron
Pat and Dave Lamb – Hotel Patron
Loretta Lustig
Jneil Ludwick Nelson – Table Centerpiece Patron
Bonnie and Paul Racano – Swag Bag Patron
Lynne Rudnick – Animal Encounters Patron
Judy Sanders – Specialty Cocktail Drink Patron
Lori and Aubrey Serfling – Event Patron
Pam and Bill Simpkins – Safety & Security Patron
Visit Greater Palm Springs
Whitewater Rock & Supply
Live Auction and Swag Bag Business Donors
Atlas Ocean Voyages
The Armstrong Collective, Canyon Spirit Railway
Berckemeyer Consulting Group
BG’s El Paseo
BMW/Thermal Club
Brandini Toffee
Castelli’s Ristorante
The Crawford Hotel
Cypress Inn – Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Dahl Restaurant Group
Democracy
Desert Town Hall
El Paseo Jewelers
Foxy’s Kitchen & Bar
Hotel Paseo
Jo Malone
The Kimpton Rowan, Palm Springs
Kitchen 86
La Paon on El Paseo
La Fe Wine Bar
Lotus Garden Center
McCallum Theatre
Mitch’s on El Paseo
Mojave Resort, Palm Desert
Nobu
Oceans Restaurant
Pacifica Restaurants
Piero’s Pizza Vino
The Pink Cabana
Porsche Newport Beach
Ristorante Momma Gina
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Sedona Drifters
Sensei Porcupine Creek
Si Bon
Skin Lab, Cosmetic Surgery Institute
Mark Sofonio, MD
Tlaquepaque Village
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort
Toscana Country Club
Waldo’s Ristorante
Wally’s Desert Turtle
Willie’s Modern Fare
With thanks to our Production Partner, Momentous Events
2026 ZOOBILEE GALA: BLOOMING IN THE DESERT
Presented by Rita Stec and Lance Eldred
Saturday, February 28, 2026
5:30pm – 9:00pm
Blooming in the Desert: The 2026 Zoobilee Gala Was a Night to Remember!
Thanks to your support, we raised nearly $1,650,000 to advance The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. Because of supporters like you, The Living Desert continues to be a vital force in protecting desert ecosystems and wildlife around the world. As home to more than 600 animals representing over 150 species, we are dedicated to ensuring the survival of endangered species through our global and local initiatives. Your support helps us expand our field conservation programs, educate school children, and inspire future generations to become stewards of the natural world.
Didn’t get to donate at the event? There’s still time to make a donation online today!
Enjoy the highlights from Gala 2026! Also, download your pictures as memories for the night!
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor – $100,000
Rita Stec and Lance Eldred
Diamond Sponsor – $75,000
Rick Waddell and Lesley Halverson
Platinum Sponsors – $50,000
Baltzell Family and
Michael and Stacy Schlinger Family Foundation
Gold Sponsors – $25,000 plus
Bob Archer and Chuck Hilliar
Argyros Family Foundation
H. N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation
Suz Hunt
Deborah and Arthur Jacobson
Lester Family Foundation
McGrath Family
Ritz Family Foundation
Sally Simonds – Cocktail Reception Patron
Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation
Tonamora Foundation
Marcy Tonkin – Cocktail Entertainment Patron
U.S. Bank – Dessert and Entertainment Patron
Shaughne Warnack
Table Captain Sponsors – $15,000 plus
Suzan and Bill Appel
City of Rancho Mirage
D. W. Johnston Construction, Inc.
Cathy and Bill Dickson
Karla Kjellin-Elder and Jeff Elder
Marylynn and Andy Gladstein
Stan and Ros Hack
Brooke Koehler
Edie McCarthy
Gail Dutton, Mary Jo and Al Means, and Sue and Tim Timken
Event Sponsors – $10,000 plus
Jackie and Curt Ealy
Sandy Kachlein – Event Patron
Diane and Mike Morrison – AV/Production Patron
Palm Springs Life – Media/Advertising Patron
Thomas Patrick and Stephen Rulo – Wine Patron
Jan Salta – Valet Patron
Event Sponsors – $5,000 plus
Gala Co-Chairs Nancy Stegehuis & Sandy Woodson – Invitation Patron
Anne Christensen and Arne Ness – Event Patron
Susie and Wayne Harvey – Raise the Paw Paddle Patron
Mikey Herring and Jim Phelps – Event Patron
Squire and Angie Junger – Photo Patron
Pat and Dave Lamb – Hotel Patron
Loretta Lustig
Jneil Ludwick Nelson – Table Centerpiece Patron
Bonnie and Paul Racano – Swag Bag Patron
Lynne Rudnick – Animal Encounters Patron
Judy Sanders – Specialty Cocktail Drink Patron
Lori and Aubrey Serfling – Event Patron
Pam and Bill Simpkins – Safety & Security Patron
Visit Greater Palm Springs
Whitewater Rock & Supply
Live Auction and Swag Bag Business Donors
Atlas Ocean Voyages
The Armstrong Collective, Canyon Spirit Railway
Berckemeyer Consulting Group
BG’s El Paseo
BMW/Thermal Club
Brandini Toffee
Castelli’s Ristorante
The Crawford Hotel
Cypress Inn – Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Dahl Restaurant Group
Democracy
Desert Town Hall
El Paseo Jewelers
Foxy’s Kitchen & Bar
Hotel Paseo
Jo Malone
The Kimpton Rowan, Palm Springs
Kitchen 86
La Paon on El Paseo
La Fe Wine Bar
Lotus Garden Center
McCallum Theatre
Mitch’s on El Paseo
Mojave Resort, Palm Desert
Nobu
Oceans Restaurant
Pacifica Restaurants
Piero’s Pizza Vino
The Pink Cabana
Porsche Newport Beach
Ristorante Momma Gina
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Sedona Drifters
Sensei Porcupine Creek
Si Bon
Skin Lab, Cosmetic Surgery Institute
Mark Sofonio, MD
Tlaquepaque Village
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort
Toscana Country Club
Waldo’s Ristorante
Wally’s Desert Turtle
Willie’s Modern Fare
With thanks to our Production Partner, Momentous Events
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