New Bedford, MA, USA, June 28, 2024 – Fiber Optic Center, Inc., (FOC), an international leading distributor specializing in helping their customers make the best cable assemblies in the world, announces the success of the latest Corporate Citizen sponsorship with the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s annual Soiree at the Zoo event.
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, FOC was one of the proud sponsors at the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s Soiree at the Zoo event, with the annual “Zoolala” auction and live music by James Montgomery & Friends. The event supports the high-quality educational programs to the community and BPZOO’s maintenance of high standards of animal care. Buttonwood Park Zoo is involved in a number of conservation and research projects of regional, national and international scope involving endangered and threatened species.
James Montgomery, an American blues musician, is best known as the lead singer, blues harp player, frontman, and bandleader of The James Montgomery Blues Band. When asked to perform at the event, Montgomery first researched how the zoo cares for its animals before making the commitment as he is careful about the work he does involving animals because he’s an animal lover. His admiration for the quality of work at the Buttonwood Park Zoo led him to not only commit but put together an all-star band featuring Marty Richards, guitar player with the J. Geils Band; bassist David Hull, who has toured with Aerosmith and the Joe Perry Project; Chris Stoval Brown, an internationally-known blues guitarist; Andrew Clark on saxophone with the Beach Boys; Michael Antunes from the Beaver Brown Band; and former U.S. Senator Scott Brown on guitar.
The same night was also the second and final of the 2024 National Basketball Association (NBA)'s annual draft and the owner of the Celtics, Wycliffe "Wyc" K. Grousbeck, left the draft in New York City to attend the Buttonwood Park Zoo event, displaying the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and joining the band to play some guitar.
The event was a great success providing critical support for The Buttonwood Park Zoo, the 12th oldest zoo in the United States established in 1894, and its fundraising for protecting endangered wildlife, connecting the community to nature, and safeguarding the sustainability of the organization.
About Buttonwood Park Zoo
Buttonwood Park Zoo, owned and operated by the City of New Bedford and supported in its endeavors by the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, features a variety of animals native to Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. The Buttonwood Park Zoo is dedicated to preserving the future of wildlife by creating engaging and educational experiences that connect the community to the natural world. Buttonwood Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Accreditation means that the BPZOO meets the high standards of the AZA for exhibit quality, animal care, educational programs and conservation projects. There are only 240 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in the United States, out of the more than 2,400 animal exhibiters licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and is dedicated to providing excellent care for animals and educating the public about wildlife, habits and conservation. Buttonwood Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has been called “one of the finest small zoos in the United States” by that organization. The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society (BPZS) is a private, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation founded in 1969. BPZS’ mission is to support the Buttonwood Park Zoo in creating experiences for exploring and enjoying the natural world. The Society supports the Zoo by managing the membership program, operating the concessions, producing family events and coordinating fundraising activities. BPZS is also proud to support the Zoo’s educational programming. The Society is overseen by the Board of Directors.
