Actor Josh Duhamel Presented with Wildlife Champion Award Saturday, November 11 at Charity’s Annual Fundraising Gala in Los Angeles
(November 12, 2017 – Beverly Hills, Calif.) – WildAid, the global nonprofit organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife trade, held its annual fundraising gala, “An Evening With WildAid,” Saturday, November 11 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. WildAid is the only group to focus exclusively on reducing demand for illegal wildlife products through public awareness campaigns. With the simple message “When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too,” WildAid works with government, business and media partners as well as celebrities and high profile individuals to advocate consumer change.
With sponsors including the TOMS Animal Initiative, “An Evening With WildAid” brought out celebrities including Josh Duhamel, Bo Derek, Maggie Q, Dylan McDermott, John Corbett, Cassidy Freeman, Tricia Helfer, Donna D’Errico, Kristin Bauer, Thomas Gibson, Jonathan Tucker, Violett Beane, Laura Linda Bradley, Olesya Rulin, Jackie Siegal, Jeb Corliss, Ikumi Yoshimatsu, Alvester Martin and many more. Grammy award winning producer David Foster provided the musical entertainment with special guest performances by Katharine McPhee, Pia Toscano, Brenna Whitaker, Nathan Granner and Rogelio Douglas, Jr.
“We had an amazing night beyond our expectations in raising funds to power forward our campaigns,” said WildAid CEO Peter Knights.
Entertainment Tonight correspondent Keltie Knight presented actor Josh Duhamel with the 2017 Wildlife Champion Award.
Duhamel has been an advocate for WildAid filming several public service announcements for the organization and using his celebrity status on social media to engage new audiences and to spread awareness of the illegal wildlife trade and its detrimental effects on endangered species worldwide.
“An Evening With WildAid” featured a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with silent auction. Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner by James Beard award-winning chef Tracey Des Jardins, owner of San Francisco’s famed Jardinière, and Mary Sue Milliken, co-chef/owner of the popular, critically acclaimed Border Grill restaurants.
A highlight of the gala was WildAid CEO Peter Knights’ introduction of the organization’s new programs to protect endangered species and marine habitats. Knights also shared campaigns featuring WildAid’s portfolio of celebrity ambassadors, which includes Josh Duhamel, Lupita Nyong’o, Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, HRH Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, Maggie Q, the cast of the Walking Dead and many others.
WildAid produces impactful, compelling public service announcements that are Hollywood quality and distributes them to millions of viewers a week through pro bono media placement. WildAid’s campaigns have contributed to an 80% reduction in shark fin imports to China, a ban on ivory sales in China, and a 50% drop in the price of rhino horn in China and Vietnam.
About TOMS Animal Initiative
The TOMS Animal Initiative (TOMS) and WildAid joined forces early this year to launch a limited-edition footwear collection that supported WildAid’s conservation programs dedicated to the giant panda. Created by Heather Mycoskie, the TOMS Animal Initiative partners with nonprofit animal conservation organizations to raise awareness and support for global animal protection.
About WildAid
For photographs, video footage or to interview a WildAid expert, please contact Brendi Rawlin [email protected] +1 619 549 3066.
WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as shark fin and elephant ivory by persuading consumers and providing comprehensive marine enforcement. Recent WildAid campaigns such as the #JoinTheHerd initiative have brought together millions of people to speak out about the poaching crisis affecting African elephants. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors – including Prince William and Yao Ming – and global network of media partners, WildAid leverages $289 million in annual pro bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. For more information, visit WildAid.org and follow us @WildAid.
