DWWRC Plans Annual Benefit Dinner

By Misty Cryer

Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is planning its Annual Benefit Dinner to provide operational funds for the center. Sponsorships and donations of auction items for the benefit event are currently being sought. Tickets for the event are also available.

The DWWRC is well-known in the community for its wildlife rehabilitation program, which helps injured and orphaned native wildlife, and as an educational outlet that teaches the importance of wildlife in the ecosystem and local area.

The DWWRC Annual Benefit Dinner is scheduled for 5:30-9 p.m. on November 13 at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center, located at 4012 National Parks Highway.

According to information provided by Stuart Wittenbach, DWWRC Board Member and Chair of the Benefit, "The center took in 616 birds, mammals, and reptiles in 2024. The educational programs in 2024 had 33 event days, and we interacted with approximately 9,225 people through our presentations at schools, civic organizations, public events, etc.

"Also, the center partners with local school programs (high school and college) to provide work experience for students who are considering or planning careers in veterinary or wildlife science," according to that statement.

"The beautiful part about what they do is that it is not to keep them there and make pets of them," said Wittenbach, emphasizing that the main goal is to bring those animals in and be able to treat them to get back to their full capacity for health, then release them back into the wild.

The first benefit event was in 2019, said Wittenbach. He said a group from Cimarex Energy, of which he was the Director of Environmental Safety at the time, got together and approached Dr. Sammie Holeck in 2018 about starting an annual benefit for the center. Aside from the COVID break, he said, "We've been doing it ever since."

The event includes a meal by K&P Catering, live and silent auctions, and educational tables featuring several agencies and organizations, said Wittenbach.

"The Wildlife Center brings some of their ambassador wildlife to the event. That makes it fun for everyone participating," he said.

"Everything that we are doing is to help generate money for the Wildlife Center," said Wittenbach. He said the event is open to the energy industry, oil and gas, potash mining, and the businesses and people in Carlsbad, Artesia, and Hobbs. "Permian Basin is what the focus is."

The Annual Benefit Dinner presents a significant opportunity for the public to make donations to support the center's operations, according to Dina Ray with the DWWRC. Naming food for the animals as a major daily expense, she said the center relies on donations from all sources.

At the time of contact, Wittenbach said Coterra Energy was the primary sponsor. Parties interested in becoming sponsors are requested to contact Stuart Wittenbach (swittenbach@olp.net), Tell Montoya (Justintell.tm@gmail.com), or Flip Tarin (Flip.Tarin@coterra.com).

In addition to seeking sponsors, donations of items for the live and silent auctions are needed. Wittenbach said that in the past, they have had artwork, Yeti coolers, camping equipment, gourmet cookies and cakes, shotguns, fishing trips, and weekend lodging.

"If they have something to bring to donate, we ask them to call the center," he said. The number to arrange drop-off or pick-up is 575-689-6711.

Information about purchasing tickets can be found on the website ( https://dwwrc.org/). "You can buy single tickets, or you can buy a table," said Wittenbach.

For more information, Stuart Wittenbach can be reached at 918-404-1084.