It's that time of year again!  The 25th Annual Bowling for Rhinos is upon us.  This is American Association of Zoo Keeper's (AAZK) biggest fundraiser of the year and it is a momentous one this year - we are set to surpass $5 million raised since the inception of this event.  We are also aiming to raise $500,000 this year - after the record $485,000 last year.  All the information about the event is at Tampa Bay AAZK's website.

Tampa Bay AAZK is hosting their chapter's Bowling for Rhinos:
Friday, May 30th
Pin Chasers Midtown
4847 North Armenia Ave.
Tampa, FL, 33603

You can bowl in the first crash (6-8pm) or the second crash (8:30-10:30 pm).  We will also have t-shirts for sale (see above image).  You save $5 by pre-registering at the website - it is $30 to bowl and buy a shirt - it is $20 for one or the other.  There will also be a silent auction with many cool items including animal-inspired and created artwork, as well as a raffle with lots of Florida signed sport memorabilia and tickets, the BIGGEST PRIZE we've ever had - four round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines.  Last year, we raised over $6,300 - a record for us.  As Tampa Bay AAZK's Fundraising Chair, I am the Bowling for Rhinos coordinator as well, so if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail [email protected].   :)

Annually, participating chapters of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) hold a fundraiser called Bowling for Rhinos (BFR), the proceeds from which benefit wild rhinos - namely, those at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Action for Cheetah Kenya in Africa, and Ujung Kulon, Way Kambas, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks in Indonesia.  Tampa Bay AAZK  held its 24th Annual Bowling for Rhinos on May 31 at Pin Chasers in Tampa, FL.  While AAZK is an organization focused on professional development, it also cares about conservation.  It is with this in mind that the members of Tampa Bay AAZK volunteered their time, energy, and in some cases, artistry, to make this year's BFR the most successful Tampa has ever had.  We have raised, to this date, over $6,100, surpassing last year's record amount!

As the fundraising chair for Tampa Bay AAZK, I was automatically (and happily) the BFR coordinator this year.  This involved planning the event, negotiating with the bowling alley to secure a good deal and raising awareness.  Most importantly, I did not do this alone.  I had a dedicated cadre of zookeeper-helpers that solicited local businesses for donations for the silent auction and raffle, helped set up the night of the event, got the word out on social media and on local news and radio stations, and worked with their animals to get some paintings to auction off as well.  That's right - animals can paint!  We also had ticket and tour packages from Busch Gardens, Sea World Orlando, Lowry Park Zoo, Adventure Island, Discovery Cove, MOSI, The Dali Museum, and Dinosaur World, signed sports items from the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and lots of animal-related photographs and artwork.

Traditionally, Tampa Bay AAZK hosts Bowling for Rhinos on the last Friday of May every year.  You can go to our website - http://www.tampabayaazk.com - for updated information.  We hope to see you next year!