Join Community Shares, our region's only federation of charities serving the social and economic justice, environmental sustainability and conservation, and animal welfare fields in the tri-state as we celebrate the end of our fiscal year and our success in fighting for the rights of our community's most vulnerable residents under attack by extremists.

Tickets are $100 per person for the 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, event. Please notify us if you or your guests have mobility issues and require assistance to travel through the Zoo grounds from the parking lot to the event space.

An evening of fellowship with like-minded resisters, activists, and allies, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the work of our member charities in the community while participating in exciting silent auctions and raffle baskets, split-the-pot, luxury raffle, and more.

Activist and satirist Missy Spears will emcee, DJ BLU is in charge of the music, and drag queen P.H. Dee will perform.

Our 2023 Inclusion Award recipient at the event will be the Imperial Soverign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire, Inc. (I.S.Q.C.C.B.E.). The regional, Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit supports the needs of the Tri-State's LGBTQIA+ community and several other organizations through various fundraising events, most often centered around drag-themed entertainment. Over the past 32 years, I.S.Q.C.C.B.E. has raised and distributed over $1.5 million to local charities, serving as a cornerstone for local LGBTQIA+ philanthropy and supporting, among its causes, Community Shares and several of our member organizations. The award will be accepted at the July 29 event by Empress XXXI Anita Dushay and Emprex XXXI Anna Mae Ceres.

The evening at the Cincinnati Zoo will include a small animal visit, heavy appetizers, and a bar (starting drink tickets included, additional drink tickets available for purchase). The tentative menu is as follows:

Build-Your-Own Salad | 80 Acres Farms lettuce blend, grilled chicken breast, flank steak, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, bleu cheese, shaved parmesan, olives, red onions, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, Dressings: Caesar, ranch, and balsamic vinaigrette
Build-Your-Own Street Tacos | Chicken fajita, pork carnitas, and quinoa crumble, shredded cabbage, cilantro, lime wedge, cotija, pico de gallo, black beans, cilantro-lime crema, flour & corn tortillas
Ice Cream Social | Graeter’s chocolate, vanilla, and black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream, bananas, chocolate & caramel sauce, chopped nuts, sprinkles, and whipped topping

Last year, the return of our For the Love of the Community fundraiser brought together 200 guests to inaugurate the new picnic pavilions at the Cincinnati Zoo in their first-ever use, and we brought in nearly $35,000 in revenue to support Community Shares and our members! Come join us again this year and dress for comfort in the warm evening air.

PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY THURSDAY, JULY 13. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE TICKETS AFTER THAT DATE.

For those who wish to come early, self-guided Zoo tours are allowed between 3:30 and 5:30, but you are asked at that time to head over toward our pavilions for the 6 p.m. event. The Zoo tour is optional and not required of guests.

Night Waters Original Art by Mary Barr Rhodes