A Recap of the Evening

Thursday, November 2, 2023
Zilker Botanical Garden
VIP Pre Party 6 PM
General Admission 7 PM
Program 7:30 PM

We are brimming with botanical ebullience because we raised $155,000 to support our work!

During our night of floral festivities, our VIP guests toasted to Forklift in view of Austin’s skyline. After sunset, they promenaded down the Zilker Botanical Garden’s rolling hills awash in colors and twinkling lights.

Mia the Event Diva directed a beautiful evening for Forklift supporters, who delighted in delicious food by Suzanne Court Catering & Events, Homeslice, and Local Foods. 

Guests also enjoyed drinks, dancing, and a photo booth by Artist Sarah Bork, along with a special performance by the Zilker Botanical Garden’s gardening staff choreographed by Forklift.

We also premiered a new video showing how Forklift invites audiences to hear a story they hadn’t before, see a civic issue in a new or brighter light, and feel more deeply connected to our community. 

Longtime Forklift donor Charlotte Herzele kicked us off with a generous gift and Forklift friend Shuronda Robinson was crowned as our “Last Hero.” A special thanks to Patricia Marty and Hugh & Mary Poindexter for their bids during the paddles up festivities! 

After remarks, our Forklift community raised $51,000 on the spot in our live paddles up auction with FUNAuctions’ Gayle Stallings. 

We are so grateful for our event committee, collaborators, donors, guests, and volunteers for contributing to this fantastic night, helping Forklift raise the most we’ve ever raised in one night in our twenty year history! 

Botany of Desire Planning Committee

Chair, Patrick Landrum

Thank You to our Generous
Bedrock Sponsors

Special thanks to Austin Event Lighting and Zilker Botanical Garden for their support of this event.