Fox Valley Wildlife Center helps injured, orphaned animals

Since opening its doors in 2001, the now Elburn-based Fox Valley Wildlife Center has done plenty of good.

Executive Director Andrea Krueger of St. Charles reports the nonprofit wildlife hospital that serves the needs of orphaned, injured and sick wildlife from Kane County and surrounding areas has taken in nearly 32,000 animals. In 2017 alone, the center helped nearly 2,500 animals of all walks of life at its Route 38 location.

The center, which operates with a small staff augmented by a legion of dedicated volunteers, receives no state or federal funding. Thus, events such as its upcoming annual FVWC dinner auction serve as critical fundraising mechanisms.

This year's gathering takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Pipers Banquets, 1295 Butterfield Road, in Aurora and is loaded with a variety of silent and live auctions. Tickets are $50, and proceeds are directed toward the center's operation.

All auction items are donated and contribute to the success of the event and the financial stability the center needs to care for the wildlife it helps.

“It's our biggest fundraiser of the year, for sure,” said Krueger. “It nearly gets us through the summer. We operate completely through fundraising and donations.”

Krueger said last year's event drew more than 200 people.

“We are hoping to top that this year,” she said. “We have a sit-down dinner, plus the silent auction, and there are raffles and games. It's everything you could look for in a fun evening.”

Krueger added the center will be recognizing a variety of area veterinarians who have helped FVWC-rescued animals. And, for the first time, one of the center's interns will be recognized for his/her outstanding work.

“There are quite a few vets out there that help us,” she said. “They have been a tremendous help and always go above and beyond. And our interns do a fabulous job here. At the end of their time they write a review of what they learned from the experience and how we helped them. This year we'll recognize one of them.”

In terms of auction and raffle prizes, trips to Africa and Orlando, Florida, (airfare not included) are up for auction, as well as a Caribbean cruise on the Royal Caribbean cruise line. Tickets to the popular musical “Hamilton,” plus a one-night stay in Chicago, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of Brookfield Zoo are among the highlighted items.

Also on the docket is an outing to the Acquaviva Winery in nearby Maple Park.

Even the center's animals will get involved with the auction. The center's ambassador animals will have their artwork on display. Among the animals contributing pieces are a Canada goose, a three-toed box turtle, a squirrel, a milk snake and a woodchuck (his first piece, Krueger noted).

Volunteer and Geneva resident Addie Stras explained acrylic washable paint is put on a sheet and the animal is briefly placed on the sheet and then is picked up again and placed on a canvas on the floor, where he or she creates their artwork by walking across it.

“The artwork is up for auction,” she said. “The volunteers all have their favorite (animal) ambassador, and the ambassadors are used for the artwork. Everybody gravitates toward their favorite and that's how the bidding goes.”

A 50/50 raffle and a variety of games also are planned.

A host of gift baskets will be available for bidding, including birdhouses, pet baskets, one with an Amazon Echo Show, an auto fix-up basket, specialty coffee baskets and a local Geneva hand-painted wineglass basket.

Future plans

“We're the only place around that can take on this number of animals,” Krueger said. “Other places are very limited.”

Krueger has high hopes for the future of the center.

“We would love to have a facility that is built as a hospital that can care for the animals,” she said. “Right now, we're in the ranger's house. It's a small house with a basement and it's more than 100 years old. The stairs are steep and the rooms are smaller. It was fine when we started, but we've really outgrown the facility.”

Fox Valley Wildlife Center Annual Dinner Auction

When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, April 7

Where: Pipers Banquets, 1295 Butterfield Road, Aurora

Tickets: $50 each, available online at <a href="http://www.fvwc.org">www.fvwc.org</a>. Donations to the center also can be made through the website.

Details: (630) 365-3800