ARC to hold annual Casino Royale fundraiser
You can almost hear the James Bond music playing in the background every time the Animal Refuge Center holds its annual Casino Royale fundraiser.
And that day is coming upon us again as ARC will hold its 11th annual Casino Royale 007 fundraiser on Saturday, May 18, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Estero.
Many who attend this 007-themed event will don formal dresses or white tuxedos while they play their favorite games of chance like blackjack, poker, roulette and craps to support the mission of the Animal Refuge Center.
“This is one of our three major fundraisers with a James Bond theme. We’ve had impersonators here in the past and we encourage people to come and play the part,” said ARC vice president Rob Spicker. “Part of the game is to take in the theme and dress like you’re at the casino with Bond himself.”
The play money you win increases your chances of winning one of many great raffle prizes. There also will be a live auction with jewelry, weekend hotel getaways, a $500 martini package, and 10-night vacation packages to Antigua, Spicker said.
All the proceeds raised will support the dogs and cats in ARC’s care, some of whom will be there to remind the crowd about the purpose of the night.
Tickets are $75 and include $2,000 in “cash” to gamble with. Additional gambling “cash” can be purchased at the event.
This year’s Casino Royale is presented by Paul and Rosalie Watson.
If still available, the 007 sponsorships are $2,750, License-to-No-Kill sponsorships are $1,250, Diamonds-are-Furever sponsorships are $600, and The-Dog-Who-Loved-Me sponsorship is $300.
Sponsorships come with event tickets and various levels of advertising.
“We’re almost where we were last year with sponsorships. We hope to cross that line and exceed what we had last year,” Spicker said. “Ticket sales are always available through our website.”
The Animal Refuge Center is a 501c3 non-profit animal welfare society. They are a non-euthanasia organization dedicated to caring for all owner-surrendered cats and dogs received into their care.
ARC places approximately 500 dogs and cats per year into homes through direct and indirect adoptions.
“We depend entirely on the generosity of donors, sponsors, and grants. This is your opportunity to help us control the animal population, take care of the cat and dogs here and find them permanent homes here in Southwest Florida,” Spicker said.
ARC is at 18011 Old Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.
Tickets and sponsorships are available at animalrefugecenter.com. NFMNL
This story appears in the latest issue of the North Fort Myers Neighbor Living magazine, available at locations throughout North Fort Myers.