At the Sacramento Zoo we strive to make a difference in the world and to remain an integral and accessible part of the Sacramento community. One of our favorite events is Dreamnight, when the Sacramento Zoo quietly opens its doors to more than 1,500 chronically ill children and their families from the Sacramento region; the event gave families an opportunity to visit the Zoo in a relaxed environment with other children and families who have similar challenges.
A little history on the event that is celebrated at zoos around the world. In 1996 at the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands an event was created that would quickly spread to zoos around the world: Dreamnight. The Dreamnight mission is to provide one annual and cost-free evening at the zoo exclusively for chronically ill and disabled children and their family members. Since 1996 it has become an annual event that includes participants from more than 300 institutions in 35 countries worldwide.
The Sacramento Zoo just hosted its 12th annual Dreamnight. The event included crafts, animal encounters, music, magic shows and the Board of Trustees giving each child a stuffed animal. It gives families the opportunity to enjoy a special evening in a supportive environment. The Sacramento Zoo is proud to host Dreamnight and staff look forward to continuing work with local children’s hospitals and organizations that support children with special needs to spread the word about this annual event and provide valuable resources to the families.
The Sacramento Zoo supports and provides a variety of programs in order to remain accessible to the public. Along with Dreamnight, a few others include Deaf Awareness Day, Wells Fargo Wednesdays (children get in free with a paid adult admission), Museum Day, PJ Day on Christmas Eve, scholarships for the zoo’s education programs, and providing zoo passes for local nonprofits to give to their clients who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit the zoo.
This event would not be possible without the support of sponsors including Allied Integrated Marketing, Howe Avenue location of California Family Fitness, Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics, Service Systems Associates, Sierra Health Foundation, and Total Education Solutions.