Go Wild for ‘Ding’ raises $300K
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge’s annual Go Wild for “Ding” — Into the Night fundraiser on Feb. 7 raised about $300,000 to support education, conservation and research at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. Led by auctioneers Rachel Pierce and Bill Harkey, the live auction items included a set of two yellow-crowned night heron feathers hand carved by island sculptor Jim Sprankle; the winning bidder also becomes a member of the exclusive Flock of the Feather Club. Silent auction purchases and bids to help purchase portions of the Wildlife on Wheels mobile outreach classroom were also received. The evening ended with a video reminding attendees that the refuge is the heart of the island, followed by an active “Bid to Give” led by Pierce and Harkey.