Chirps and Chips returns for 5th year

If you are looking for a night out and a way to give back to the community, the Alabama Wildlife Center is hosting a fundraising event that promises to do both. 

Chirps and Chips, as its name would imply, is combining a night of poker with a fundraiser to support the AWC’s Junior Board and Raptor Force, which works to rehabilitate Alabama native birds. Rounds of poker, a silent auction, food, drinks and live entertainment will all be part of the casino-themed fundraiser. The event will be Aug. 19 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Doug Adair, executive director of AWC, said Chirps and Chips is one of two main annual fundraisers. 

“This fundraiser is particularly important because the spring and summer baby bird season is the busiest time of year,” Adair said. “Before baby bird season ends, we will have treated over 1,000 Alabama native birds.”

Not only will Chirps and Chips be an opportunity to have fun for a good cause, but it also aims to be an educational experience, Adair said. As in years past, there will be Education Ambassadors, which are gloved-trained raptors. These raptors will be out during the fundraiser so that people will have a chance to get their pictures taken with them.

“We have a new eastern screech owl,” Adair said. “She will be at the event, and folks will have the opportunity to meet her for the first time.”

Tickets are $50 each and are available at awrc.org or by calling 663-7930. If you do not get the chance to purchase your tickets beforehand, there will also be tickets sold at the door.