Atascadero Chamber donates $10,000 to Charles Paddock Zoo
Left to right: Raechelle Bowlay, board member, Angela Cisneros, board member, Michaela Haniger, chamber event coordinator and operations manager, Reid Erbstoesser, future committee member, Terrie Banish, Atascadero deputy city manager, Gail Kudlac, wine festival chair, Elyse Erbstoesser, future committee member, Susan Funk, Atascadero City Council member, Heather Moreno, Atascadero mayor, Barbie Butz, wine festival committee member, Alan Baker, Atascadero zoo director, Charles Bourbeau, Atascadero city council member, Mark Dariz, Atascadero city council member, Josh Cross, chamber president and CEO, Rosey Parks, chamber ambassador chair, Daniel Armendariz, board member, Julie Matthews, chamber director of membership, Dawn Smith, chamber director of communications. Courtesy photo.
Donation will support a new Sloth Exhibit and Madagascar Exhibit Phase II
– The Atascadero Chamber has announced a gift to the Charles Paddock Zoo in the amount of $10,000. The funds were raised from the 25th Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival ticket sales. This donation will support a new Sloth Exhibit and Madagascar Phase II with a Fossa/Lemur Complex.
“For the 25th year now, we are extremely grateful for the kind generosity of the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival,” stated Mayor Heather Moreno. “We truly appreciate the work and effort that always goes into this event and to again be a part of its tremendous success. Speaking on behalf of our Zoo Director, Alan Baker, and the staff of the Charles Paddock Zoo, we sincerely thank the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce and the Lakeside Wine Festival for this wonderful donation!”
The festival featured over 100 wineries, breweries, food purveyors, and art exhibitors, and live music by Erin and the Earthquakes, Chris Beland, and Déjà vu.
Gail Kudlac, the festival coordinator, said she was also thrilled with the results. “Thank you all to the wineries, breweries, cider, artists, commercial and food vendors that made this a great event. Most of all thank you to the nearly 1,300 attendees. Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to make this donation to our wonderful Charles Paddock Zoo! Mark your calendar for June 24, 2023, for another great Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival.”
