Please join us for live music, live art, good food, wine, and listen to one of Des Moines biggest animal advocates, Tom Colvin. This is a chance for you to learn about more about Iowa Bird Rehabilitation and how you can be part of building a future for generations to come.
- Semi Formal Attire
- Custom labeled Jasper Wines available for reservation when you purchase a gala ticket, $50/bottle donation Payment due at the gala. Limited quantities.
Larger view on our Donate Page, More information about tipping and fees: HERE
Can you imagine a world without birds?
Wings of Iowa, a celebration of birds, is a way for us to bring awareness of the importance of wild birds in Iowa. Many bird populations are experiencing major population declines due to habitat loss, climate change, light pollution, and decrease in food sources. You are who the birds count on for their future, and with your attendance, we are giving birds a second chance and creating a future for our feathered friends. Iowa Bird Rehabilitation is at a point where for us to continue doing our work, we need to grow and expand. On April 6th, come learn about our future goals and how you can: Be part of the solution, and be part of our gala. Join us for food, fun, entertainment, and a keynote speech from one of Iowa's biggest animal advocates, Tom Colvin, CEO of the Animal Rescue League. He will be speaking about his wildlife experience and why the work we are doing is so important. Plus, enjoy music from Iowa musician Chad Elliot, and watch local artist Amy Putney-Koenig create an art piece live during the event. This is going to be a night to spread your wings and have some fun! Dr. Jenni Boonjakuakul Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director |
Tom Colvin has been instrumental in the state of Iowa for animal protection work since 1974. He began his work as a Certified Veterinary Technician in Waterloo, Iowa. He went onto become the director of the Black Hawk Humane Society (now called Cedar Bend).
Tom moved to Des Moines in 1993 to become the shelter director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL). In 1995, he was appointed the ARL’s Executive Director, a position he has held since. Tom led the initiative to build a new 43,000 square foot shelter, which was completed in October 2008.
Tom has served as the President of the Iowa Federation of Humane Societies since 1981 and also currently serves on the Iowa State University External Stakeholders Advisory Group, on the board of the Better Business Bureau, and previously on the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine and Iowa Wildlife Center. He is also a member of The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (formerly Society of Animal Welfare Administrators) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which promotes ethical fundraising practices. He has also been a wildlife rehabilitator and has served on Iowa deer taskforce committees.
Tom moved to Des Moines in 1993 to become the shelter director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL). In 1995, he was appointed the ARL’s Executive Director, a position he has held since. Tom led the initiative to build a new 43,000 square foot shelter, which was completed in October 2008.
Tom has served as the President of the Iowa Federation of Humane Societies since 1981 and also currently serves on the Iowa State University External Stakeholders Advisory Group, on the board of the Better Business Bureau, and previously on the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine and Iowa Wildlife Center. He is also a member of The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (formerly Society of Animal Welfare Administrators) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which promotes ethical fundraising practices. He has also been a wildlife rehabilitator and has served on Iowa deer taskforce committees.
Midwest singer-songwriter Chad Elliott blends folk roots, swampy blues and soulful writing to deliver an original Americana sound. His live performances have been honed over a decade of being on the road performing more than 200 shows each year. Elliott is lauded as “Iowa’s Renaissance man” by Culture Buzz Magazine. He has penned more than 1,500 songs in his career while also cultivating his skills as a painter, sculptor, illustrator and author (Wilderman’s Treetop Tales; Rumble & Flash).
Elliott has worked with many greats and shared the stage with artists of the highest caliber, including Odetta, Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, R.L. Burnside, Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Counting Crows, Ruthie Foster, Lonestar, Jimmy Vaughan, etc. He has won coveted awards including the Woody Guthrie Song Contest and Iowa Blues Challenge. He placed 3rd in the International Song Contest with his Americana song, "Same Old Way."
Elliott has worked with many greats and shared the stage with artists of the highest caliber, including Odetta, Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, R.L. Burnside, Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Counting Crows, Ruthie Foster, Lonestar, Jimmy Vaughan, etc. He has won coveted awards including the Woody Guthrie Song Contest and Iowa Blues Challenge. He placed 3rd in the International Song Contest with his Americana song, "Same Old Way."
“…Chad Elliott stands out as a timeless and genuine musical poet with supple-strong roots like the bluestem and buffalo grass of Iowa prairie.” - Todd Partridge, NoDepression.com
Amy Putney Koenig is a DSM painter, collage artist and illustrator of Prairie Majesty Oracle. Animals & birds are important elements in her work, as teachers and inspiration for us to live as presently & playfully as we can. Birds teach us with beauty, song, and heart.
"When the songbird is quiet because of trauma, illness or injury, IBR is there to heal them so they can sing again. What a valuable service for all!"
- Tom Colvin,
CEO Animal Rescue League
Of Iowa
EVENT AGENDAARRIVAL6:00 PM
Grab a drink and take it all in. MINGLE & MUSICEnjoy the enchanting melodies of one of Iowa's own singer songwriters, Chad Elliott as you settle in for an evening of celebrating Iowa's birds.
GRAZE & BIDEnjoy the small plate delicacies from Christiani's as you wander the gala to admire Amy Putney Koenig's work come alive and decide which auction grouping you can't live without.
Desserts from Pie Bird Pies. & Games will be played SPEAKERLet's take a moment to hear about Tom Colvin's love of the wild side.
THANK YOU FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDr. Jenni Boonjakuakul, Founder and Executive Director to close the evening with gratitude and to share the vision of how Iowa Bird Rehabilitation will take flight in the near future.
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SILENT AUCTION
With so much gratitude from our generous donors and the time and dedication from our Gala Committee, we have a tremendous group of auction packages for our attendees. Discover your favorites and help support the vision for Iowa Bird Rehabilitation. As we get closer to the event, watch for hints and announcements.
A Tangle of Yarn
Active Edge Orthopedic & Sports Massage Therapy Back Country Backpocket Pin and Pixel Barntown Brewing Beaverdale Books Big Grove Brewery Bird and Boxer Pottery Bone-A-Patreat Bozz Prints Carole Villeneuve & Doug Dorner Chocolaterie Stam Climb Iowa Costco Creekside Quilting Darcy Stroinski Deanna Clayton Debra Johnson Des Moines Feed Des Moines Octoberfest Designs Bloom Dog Eared Books Earl May Edible Arrangements Either/Or Elle Hyde Elliott Art Studio Equanimity |
Eric Williamson
Fleet Farm Flix Brewhouse Frickson Family Farms Giordanos Grimaldi's Pizza Ichi Bike Iowa Cubs Iowa Wild Jay Vigon Jean Amosson Jennifer Lee Studios JJ Gaffers Joel Sartore Photography Just Paws Kapow Katy Polich Wellness Kitchen Collage Lua Brewing Luna Delgado Botanicals Magee's Irish Pub and Eatery Mainstream Boutique Majestic Limo Marlen Kemmet Marriott Mary Brown Michelle Peacock Mr. Car Wash Nancy Briggs Pottery |
Nicole Hruska
Pamela Bruce Patty Foster Photography Paws and Pints Perspire Sauna Studio Pet Supplies Plus Premier Makeup Artists Rail Explorers Rod and Rivet Rookery Cottage Sandra Gustafson Sara Clayton Science Center Scissors and Scotch Smart Cookie LLC The Bake Shoppe The Des Moines Playhouse The Iowa Children's Museum The Olive Tap The Pelican Post Bar and Grill Three in One Artworks Three Smooth Stones Violet Shamrock Wander Women Wasabi Wild Birds Unlimited Yarn Junction Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo |
This is a working listing of donors and will be updated as donations are finalized.
GALA COMMITTEE
Jennie Bailey, Board Member, Gala Chair Alicia Kimball, Board Member Sara Clayton, Volunteer Darcy Stroinski, Volunteer |
IBR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jen Heins, Board Chair Carole Villeneuve, Treasurer Jeff Ewoldt, Secretary |
Jennie Bailey, Board Member
Alicia Kimball, Board Member Ron Feiner, Board Member Debra Hollister Johnson, Board Member |