Seattle: Woodland Park Zoo is proud to announce the Executive Committee for the 28th annual Jungle Party, the zoo's premier fundraiser! This year's Co-Chairs are Gaelynn and Mike McGavick. The fundraising auction and dinner, held July 9, 2004, supports the zoo’s animal care and conservation and education programs.

This year Wells Fargo presents Woodland Park Zoo’s 28th Annual Jungle Party: Walkabout the Stars – Australia. The zoo’s North Meadow will be transformed into the sights, sounds and culture of the great country of Australia. The evening’s festivities include the opportunity to bid on several hundred exciting auction items and experiences, live entertainment, up-close animal experiences for patron guests, a gourmet sit- down dinner and open bars.

“A special focus of this year’s Jungle Party will be to support Wild Wise, the zoo’s award-winning outreach program, which brings the zoo experience to children throughout Washington State,” said Gaelynn McGavick, attorney and civic volunteer.

This year’s Procurement Team members are Linda Walker, co-chair of Jungle Party 2003, and Leslie Kellogg and Maggie Walker, both Woodland Park Zoo board members. Party Team members are: Diane Shrewsbury, an executive committee member since 2001; Klaudia Keller, owner of Seattle’s Choice Linens; and Paul Marcellis, senior event planner for Washington Mutual. The Sponsorship Chair is Jim Linardos, senior vice president at Pacific Northwest Bank. Audience Development Team members are: Beverly Magee, director of sales and marketing at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel; Lander Chin of Ben Bridge Jewelers; and Diane Buckley, a committed zoo volunteer. Catering Co-Chairs are Heather and Scott Staples, owners of Seattle’s Restaurant Zoë. Long-time Jungle Party volunteer, Marc Sherman, is in charge of Volunteer Operations. Tamara Wilson, owner of Wilson Public Relations, is the public relations advisor. The Wild Wise Chair is Peter Braman, civic volunteer. This year’s Advisors are: Linda Walker; Wally Walker, president and CEO of Seattle Sonics & Storm; and Carol Hosford, a Woodland Park Zoo board member.

“We’re thrilled the 2004 Jungle Party Co-Chairs are dedicating their energy and time toward the challenging task of helping this become the most successful Jungle Party to date,” says Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen.

Last year, Jungle Party raised more than $1.1 million for Woodland Park Zoo, including $197,000 for the zoo’s Animal E.R. This year’s beneficiary of the Fund-Our-Future Fund is Wild Wise, Woodland Park Zoo’s statewide educational program for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.

More than 1,000 of the Northwest’s civic and philanthropic leaders attend Jungle Party each summer. The 2004 Jungle Party will be held at the zoo's North Meadow Friday, July 9, 4:30 p.m.

The funds Jungle Party raises help Woodland Park Zoo grow and continue to thrive as one of the region’s long-standing treasures and attractions as it enters its second hundred years. On behalf of the Jungle Party Executive Committee and Woodland Park Zoo, thank you to the community for their tremendous support of this event. For more information on how to become involved with the 2004 Jungle Party, please contact the auction office at jungle.party@zoo.org or Laurie Hawk, auction manager at 206-733-9749 of visit the Jungle Party Web site.