Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

fundraising event

Why HOOT!?

by 7 Comments

If you are on our physical mailing list, you should have received a Save the Date announcement for HOOT! 2026 in the last week or so.

All the information contained in the postcard about this exciting event is below. But first, I thought I’d talk about the name HOOT!

For those who may not know, chimpanzees make a vocalization called a pant-hoot, often when they are excited. With lips trumpeted, they vocalize on both the inhale and the exhale, building to a crescendo that ends in a scream. It’s really their signature vocalization, and pant-hoots tend to be contagious. Here’s a throwback video from 2011 with a montage of pant-hoots from Negra, Jamie, and Foxie.

That’s why our signature event has the name HOOT! and why Co-Director J.B. traditionally kicks things off by leading a pant-hoot at the beginning of the event.

So, start practicing now!

It contained this basic information:

HOOT! is coming to you on Friday, October 2, 2026 and we want you there whether you’re joining in person in Seattle or tuning in from your living room.

Get full event details, purchase tickets, and RSVP now here: hoot2026.afrogs.org

 

Join us in one of two ways:

TOGETHER AT BLOCK 41

115 Bell St, Seattle, WA

Doors open at 5PM | Program begins at 6:30PM

Tickets required to attend. hoot2026.afrogs.org

 

TOGETHER ONLINE

Broadcast begins at 6:30PM Pacific

Free to RSVP and tune in from home. hoot2026.afrogs.org

 

Whether you’re joining us in person or tuning in from home, HOOT! is your invitation to celebrate the community that keeps Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest thriving.

Let’s HOOT! together!

 

WE WANT YOUR INPUT!

This year, YOU get to help choose which chimpanzee will be featured on the sweater for the raffle drawing. Vote here: bit.ly/csnwpoll

 

Big thanks to Kathleen Corby for designing the logo and materials for HOOT! once again this year! Pant-hoots to Kathleen!

The design came from a photo of George that I took that was not a technically good photo at all.

But it turned into a great design! I just love George’s profile while pant-hooting. I think it captures his excitement and the promise of things to come at the event. I hope you all can join us!

HOOT! Sponsors Pam Lehnert & Marc Warner

by

This is the first in a series of blog posts highlighting sponsors of the HOOT! 2017 Spring Fling gala.

We thought it would be fun for everyone to get to know the people behind the generosity and learn how they became involved in helping Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Pam Lehnert and Marc Warner are Happy Hour Sponsors (learn more about sponsorship levels and details for individuals here).

Here is Pam’s description of how and why she and Marc became involved in the sanctuary:

In June, 2008, there was an article in the local Cle Elum/Roslyn paper announcing an open house for a soon-to-open chimpanzee sanctuary. Marc and I immediately made plans to attend, as we thought this was likely the only opportunity we would have to see this private facility. Little did we know that this would be the first of many trips to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest as we became involved as volunteers – and that the names Negra, Jamie, Missy, Annie, Jody, Foxie and Burrito would become part of our extended “family tree”!

Having a home in the area, we were fortunate to be able to get to know not only “The Cle Elum Seven”, but the wonderful humans involved with this organization as well. One fateful night, J.B. and Diana were at our cabin having dinner when the subject of doing a fundraising event in Seattle came up. After taking a deep breath, I admitted to Diana that I had some experience with auction events – and as they say – the rest is history and we have been involved with CSNW events ever since.

I always say that the chimps brought us to the sanctuary, but it is in large part the staff and volunteers who have kept us involved. Their willingness to share their knowledge and selfless dedication never ceases to amaze us. Marc and I feel lucky to have been a part of this special group from the beginning and look forward to supporting Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest during this exciting time of growth… and further expanding our family tree.

Pam glossed over the countless hours that she has spent making CSNW events what they are. From planning to decorating to editing to organizing, Pam has been an integral part of events, and she and Marc have also helped the sanctuary in many other ways too, including some back-breaking physical work, creative building, food preparation for humans and chimpanzees alike, and many, many other endeavors.

They also have a very friendly rescued pup named Toby:

Big thanks to Pam and Marc for choosing to sponsor the HOOT! 2017 Spring Fling and helping to make this event a success before it even happens.

See all current sponsors on the HOOT! 2017 event page and find out how you too can be a sponsor!

 

Auction Photos!

by

We were very lucky to have documentary photographer Karen Ducey volunteer her services at the Out of the Box auction this year. Everyone can view the photos and even purchase favorites. Just click here and enter the password chimps when prompted. Proceeds from the sale of the photos will go to the sanctuary.

I am still amazed by everyone who donated items, sponsored, volunteered and attended Out of the Box, and to all who participated in our first ever online auction.

Thanks to all of you, the auctions combined raised over $100,000 and the chimps will be on Young’s Hill next year.

Here are a few photos to give you a flavor for the Oct. 1st auction evening:

Silent Auction:

Out of the Box silent Auction

Live Auction

Out of the Box live auction

Dessert Dash:

You really have to view all of the photos to take in the whole event. It was such a special night full of unforgettable moments and an amazing collective energy. It will be difficult to top, but we’re already working on 2011’s auction!

Big THANK YOU to Out of the Box Sponsors

by

I just updated the Out of the Box event page with new sponsorship information, and I’m so excited I had to share the new sponsors with you here on the blog. These folks are helping in a big way to make the Out of the Box auction (a sold-out event!) possible, and we really can’t thank them enough. Please check out the websites of the businesses and see what they’re all about.

It’s not too late to be a sponsor! Download these docs about sponsor benefits:

Business Underwriter Sponsors benefits

Indivdual Sponsors benefits

Next, I’ll be updating the Auction Items page with lots of new items.


And then, the Online Auction – everyone can bid! Stay tuned… it’s coming soon.


Wine during the silent auction provided by:


Event food by:

Two Tartes Catering



Sponsors as of September 15th

Business Sponsors

Chimpanzee Champions:


T-Arts Designs by Tamela


Chimpanzee Fans:


Chimpanzee Friends:

Seattle Vegan Score

Fido-N-Scratch


Table Sponsors:

Of the Earth

Clearvue Vision Center

Sandi Tampa Real Estate

Kriss Chiropractic

Vitality Chiropractic Center

Lion’s Share Industries

Individual Sponsors

Food Squeak Sponsor:

Nicole Velin-Shaw


Play Laugh Sponsors:

John and Merritt Atwood

Jennifer Godfrey


Play Face Sponsors:

Mike Kerby

Barbara Lauterbach

The Wagmans


Friend of the Staff Sponsors:

Lesley Day

Barbara Lauterbach

Leslie Sodaro

If you would like more information about sponsorships or have any other questions, contact me – Diana, Director of Outreach: [email protected] 509-470-4440.