ARC Starlight Auction shatters fund-raising records
Supporting abused and abandoned animals with spectacular donations is a cause alive and well in Southwest Florida.
The 16th annual Starlight Auction for the Animal Refuge Center, held over Thanksgiving weekend, netted a record-breaking $172,000. The funds from the event, according to ARC Treasurer Betty Hughes, will ensure the sanctuary can operate in 2011.
Five-hundred animals are on site and then many more are brought in daily. Local patrons, including an anonymous donor who chipped in a $50,000 grant and challenged the audience to match it, put the fund-raiser over the top.
The event is a Thanksgiving holiday tradition, held at the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, where patrons bring holiday guests for a spectacular dinner, spa pampering and most importantly, an auction event that features artwork from prominent local artists, jewelry, trips and more.
“One of our hottest auction items this year was a spectacular horse bronze ‘Wild Splendor’ by contemporary Oregon painter and sculptor, Lorenzo Ghiglieri that sold for $4,000,” Hughes said. “That was followed by a 10’x12′ Persian rug hailing from Kordestan, an 18K diamond cat pendant from Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, a 14K/Rhodium diamond dog bone from Lily & Co and a Danby wine and beverage cooler from Home-Tech.”
She said they always have a “non-item” on the auction block to help with operational expenses – just plain bidding to help the refuge. “Our anonymous donor, who does wish to remain anonymous, put a challenge to attendees to match a $50,000 donation and the attendees came close – $40,000 to help us with this record-breaking contribution.”
Emcee Amy Wegmann of Fox-4 News and auctioneer Mike Joyce of Gulf Coast Coin & Jewelry Brokers again brought their highest level of enthusiasm to the event that kept the bidding going, said Hughes.
“Over 255 fellow animal lovers were in attendance. The Starlight Auction’s presenting sponsor, PETCO Foundation, was joined by 41 additional sponsors and 194 businesses and individuals who donated items.”
Each year, ARC officials bring a special animal with a success story to the auction stage. This year is was Roscoe, a Newfoundlander nursed back to full health at the center.
Incorporated in 1988, Animal Refuge Center is a not-for-profit animal welfare society, dedicated to caring for all homeless animals brought to its care at its 22 -acre sanctuary in North Fort Myers. The sanctuary houses a Welcome Center, Canine Training Center, 12 feline facilities, 39 canine lodges and is home to more than 400 cats and 60 dogs.
While the wildly successful fund-raiser will help support efforts, donations and volunteers are always needed.
For more information visit AnimalRefuge.com .