As Rabbit Advocates looks to the future, one of our primary goals has been to create more opportunities for our bunny community to connect and grow. With this aim in mind, RA Board President Stephanie Castillo, Development Senior Manager Ginger Clarke, and Media Coordinator Lead Austen Bergquist have been hard at work brainstorming an event lineup that will accomplish just that.
From a night with the Portland Trail Blazers to an evening of Pub Trivia fun, the calendar they’ve created has something for everyone. But what did it take to turn these events from mere ideas into reality? We sat down with Clarke, Castillo, and Bergquist mid September to learn all about their event planning processes and goals.
Bunny Trivia Night
Are you an avid Jeopardy watcher? Are you and your friends bar trivia regulars? Then join us Saturday, November 7th for the very first Bunny Trivia Night!
In search of a new fundraising event, Clarke became inspired when she attended the Community Cycling Center’s Transportation Trivia night. While there, she couldn’t help but notice the event’s lively, community atmosphere.
“We could have put together any sort of fundraising event, but I wanted ours to be very energetic, community-focused, and an introduction to new people,” she said.
She also wanted to provide Rabbit Advocate volunteers an opportunity to celebrate the year’s accomplishments.
“Obviously we have the vaccine events, which are more and more community-focused every time they happen,” she said. “But in terms of something where we get to come together and celebrate the rabbits that have passed through our care, or the work and education that we do… We haven't done an event like this in a really, really long time.”
A Trivia Night seemed like just the event to accomplish her goals. With the idea set, Clarke and her team of volunteers went to work finding a location, reaching out to community partners, and securing prize donations.
Ultimately, the team landed on Multnomah Village’s Lucky Labrador Public House as the perfect spot. Their raffle prize list has grown to include a wine tasting experience at Amaterra Wines, a custom pet illustration by Grafitoland, and many more - all generously donated by local artists and businesses.
With all the effort that Clarke and her team have poured into it, Bunny Trivia Night promises to be a fun evening indeed. But what if you don’t know anything about rabbits? While the event will be a celebration of bunnies (this is Rabbit Advocates, after all!), Clarke was adamant - you don’t have to be a rabbit expert to join.
“They’re [the trivia topics] definitely going to be a mix of things - think very pub trivia night,” she said. “Maybe there's a theme and everything connects to it, but we're going to have different categories… and being a bunny expert may doesn’t necessarily mean that you're set to win!”
Think your team has what it takes - or just looking for an exciting, bunny-filled evening? Only 18 tickets remain at the time of publishing, so make sure to book yours today! Don’t forget to grab a few raffle tickets too in order to be in the running for some fabulous prizes.
Holiday Glamour Shoot
It’s the most magical time of year! Join us Friday, November 13th or Saturday, November 14th to receive adorable photos of your bun during our Winter Glamour Shoot.
As another year of successful Glamour Photoshoots comes to a close, Castillo took some time to reflect on their unconventional origins.
“I first started volunteering with Rabbit Advocates because I wanted to offer my photography services to them,” Castillo explained. “I would take pictures of adoptable bunnies at our adoption events, and that was super fun…but as the years went on people started asking, ‘how can I get a cute photo of my bunny?’”
Out of these conversations the Glamour Photoshoots were born. What started out as individual photo commissions have grown into highly-anticipated calendar events, with themes ranging from cozy winter days to joyful spring flowers.
Over the past three years, Castillo has curated countless backdrops, selected the most adorable props, and edited thousands of photos - with all proceeds donated to Rabbit Advocates. Since the event’s inception Castillo has continuously challenged herself to keep innovating.
“It's something that I love doing already - it’s like the artsy side of me,” she explained. “Now that they’re going into the third year, I’m like ‘now we have to change it up.’ Now I'm always trying to add in a little bit more extra fun.”
This year’s holiday photoshoot is no different. In addition to the Winter Wonderland and Christmas backdrops she’s offered previously, Castillo will be introducing a Hannukah theme as well. And for the first time ever, family members will have the opportunity to join their small pets in front of the camera by purchasing a group portrait package!
These adorable photos will undoubtedly be the perfect answer to all your family holiday card needs. Appointments are limited and will go very quickly, so make sure to reserve your spot today!
Trail Blazers x Rabbit Advocates Night
Calling all Rabbit Advocates staff, volunteers, and supporters! Join us on February 4th, 2027 as the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers for Rabbit Advocates Night.
While Bergquist is a relatively new addition to the Rabbit Advocates Marketing team, he is no stranger to event planning. On a daily basis, Bergquist coordinates groups ranging anywhere from ten to hundreds of visitors as the Portland Trail Blazer’s Executive of Group Sales.
“My job is to make sure that if they’re [an organization] putting together a Trail Blazers event, that they're getting what they paid for, and make it as customizable as we can with the resources that we have,” he explained.
Over the years, Bergquist has witnessed firsthand the excitement and camaraderie Blazer Nights can foster within a group. So when Bergquist joined Rabbit Advocates as a staff volunteer earlier this year, the decision to pitch a Trail Blazers night was an easy one.
“The idea is not one that took a ton of thinking from me,” Bergquist said. “It was just more of like, ‘hey, you guys are wanting to do a fundraiser. You want to do something different, and maybe dip into a pool of people that are not typical Rabbit Advocates members.”’
“People love the Trail Blazers,” he elaborated. “So anytime they can get a discounted ticket with the opportunity to go onto the court after the game and shoot a free throw, is a great opportunity.”
A post-game trip to the court is just one of the many perks Rabbit Advocates supporters can expect if they buy their tickets using this link. $5 of every ticket purchased on this website will be donated directly to Rabbit Advocates, and attendees are guaranteed to be seated with other members of the RA community - regardless of arena level.
RA supporters will also have the opportunity to connect prior to the game with a hoppy hour at Dr. Jacks - mere steps away from the Moda Center. And you don’t have to be a current RA volunteer to join! Both the hoppy hour and the game are open to all who purchase their tickets using the Rabbit Advocates link.
Ultimately, Bergquist hopes that this event will not only further solidify bonds between existing RA volunteers, but welcome new members as well. “You might have people at the game that have no idea what Rabbit Advocates is,” he said. “But when it says, ‘Welcome Rabbit Advocates supporters, volunteers, and staff’ on the big screen, you might have people in the audience that have rabbits that Google it after the game and then before you know it, you have a new staff member.”
These three events are just a sample of what Rabbit Advocates has in store for the next several months. As our community continues to grow and evolve, taking the time to connect with each other and welcome new members remains absolutely essential. So whether you are a sports savant, a trivia wiz, or have a rabbit fashionista we hope to see you at one - or all! - of our upcoming events.
