WeSNIP NEWS

Saturday, August 21, 2010

It’s raining unspayed/neutered cats and dogs over Whatcom and Skagit Counties

“TAME THE RAIN” was the theme of WeSNIP’s first ever fund raiser event for the future, and celebrating 6,000 surgeries performed in the past 2 years.

to all our wonderful donors, guests, and volunteers for making it a wonderful, successful evening.

The event was hosted by Andy Clay on the grounds of her home, the historic Bachman Estate in Lynden.

The Bachman Estate was built in the mid-‘70s by Randy Bachman of the band Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Because of technical difficulties, Andy’s two meaningful videos couldn’t be presented. Please go to the following websites to view them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzaZD3K1UYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBaIpZKiJ58

Many volunteers worked behind the scenes to make the event a stunning first time success - they also helped the day of the event.

Dr. Karen and her husband, Karl, arrived early to help set-up the silent auction tables and decorations. Andrea helped design and print last- minute auction certificates and signs.

Patricia did last-minute cleaning on the Spay Station before guests could board for a tour. Joy’s family posed in front of the Spay Station before helping with decorating, parking, food service, and tear-down.

Staci Hurley’s student, Carianne DiSpigno, energetically helped with food service. She also helps the Alternative Humane Society regularly at their Petco adoption days, and was front & center to help the day the Spay Station staff did surgeries in the Shuksan Middle School parking lot (photo on right). She is a wonderful addition to local animal rescue and adoption groups!!!!

Anthony helped with decorations and audio-visual while “Evolution Trio” band members David Weiss, Nathan Mattson, and Chris Powell set up their instruments. It was a family affair -- besides Joy’s kids and grandson helping, WeSNIP technician Kathryn’s husband played with the band, and Celeste’s son helped with parking and her daughter-in-law catered the delicious food.

The silent auction tables were completed while Cori discussed final registration and cashiering procedures with Cindy, Christa, and Susan.

New T-Shirts were set out for sale and Joy’s grandson posed in his “stylin" clothes before he began helping guests park their cars.

Thea and Dr. Karen put the final touches on all of the wonderful items donated for auction.

Patricia, Dr. Karen, and Andy checked out the finished tables.

The decorations created a beautiful room.

The event theme, “Tame the Rain”, was created by Celeste’s vision of using of balloons, umbrellas, ribbon streamers, crystal raindrops, and rubber rain galoshes decorating each table. Thank you, WFC Ferndale Country store, for the loan of so many galoshes!

“Thyme and Seasons” Chef Randie and her sous chef worked in Andy’s kitchen preparing the food.

A gorgeous fruit bouquet was placed next to the ever popular chocolate fountain.

The guests raved about Chef Brandie’s sumptuous vegetarian and vegan hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Guests enjoyed the food, music, and camaraderie, while Dr. Karen sported a knit hat from the silent auction. A slide show featuring WeSNIP clients with their kitties and dogs showed in the background.

Patricia delivered an eloquent talk about her work with the animals at the shelter and how seeing so many being euthanized led her to help found WeSNIP. Andy welcomed the guests; and Laura Clark, Director of the Whatcom Humane Society, led a spirited round of individual donation solicitation. They all stressed that local support is the only way WeSNIP can continue to address the pet overpopulation problem in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

At the end of the evening, volunteers including Adele, Andy’s foreign exchange student from Indonesia, helped distribute the auction items.

WeSNIP sends heartfelt Thank You’s to Andy and Jim Clay for hosting the event on the grounds of their lovely home, Celeste Mergens for her behind-the-scenes' planning and direction, Patricia Maass for her tireless outreach, Dr. Karen Mueller for organizing the auction items, and Joy Moore and family. WeSNIP staff Cindy Cobb and Laura Bergeron also helped with event tasks. Many, many Thank You’s as well go to the numerous volunteers who worked to make the evening memorable.

You can make donations through www.WeSNIP.org/donate so that we can continue to stem the tide of animal overpopulation and homelessness – we need your help now to continue to operate the Spay Station!!!

Because Every Animal counts.