Third Year is the Charm for Pet Haven's Annual Fall Benefit!
By Claire Sychowski
On November 7th, members and supporters of Pet Haven came together on behalf of the millions of homeless and neglected dogs and cats in the United States to make a difference in their lives. For the third year in a row our third annual Pet Haven Fall Benefit sold out, raising close to $30,000 – all of which will go directly to helping homeless dogs and cats.
Hosted once again at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park, the night was kicked off with a silent auction that included a variety of gift packages, artwork and pet goodies, followed by dinner and a dog and cat fashion show! To the delight of the 250 guests, 13 dogs and six cats participated in the show, modeling the latest attire and accessories from Lulu and Luigi, a local French-inspired pet boutique that was founded by mother and daughter team, Karen Howe and Liz Sand. Escorted down the runway by local celebrities, all but two of the fashion show participants were up for adoption, hoping to find their forever home. Manco and Liza, formerly known as Teddy and Lacy respectively, were two Pet Haven "alums" that were walked by their owners, Thom and Ricardo. Staci Matthews of the Moon and Staci Afternoon Show on KS95 FM served as emcee for the second year, providing a brief bio of our participants while they strutted their stuff down the catwalk.
Some of the favorites of the evening included Skipper, an eight-year-old Sheltie mix who was left on a volunteer's driveway with a note around his neck saying he was going to be shot because his teeth were falling out (they have since been removed and cleaned!) and Smokey, an adorable three-month old kitten that survived being hit by a car and the loss of his littermate.
Keith Miller, co-owner of Pampered Pooch Playground, was proud not only to be a Platinum sponsor of the event, but also to watch Trevor, Pampered Pooch's Pet Haven foster dog, participate in the fashion show. "Pet Haven is such a great rescue and we were honored to be a sponsor of the event," said Keith. "This is my third year attending the Fall Benefit, and it keeps getting better and better each year. All of our managers are so proud of Trevor, too, for how he worked it on the runway! We are already looking forward to seeing what next year's event will bring!"
But it was not just the canines that caused a ruckus on the runway -- our feline show-stoppers stole a few hearts along the way, too! Leslie, dressed in a faux snow-leopard snuggle bag, lost one of his back legs following a car accident, but is very active and eager to find a family that will play with him. And Nick, a fun-loving orange tabby that has been patiently waiting for his forever home for more than a year, strolled down the runway tucked into a cozy leopard trundle bed.
Erin Hertel, store manager for the Highland Park Chuck and Don's Pet Food store, began working with Pet Haven earlier this year when the Highland Park store opened. "We foster cats in the store to help increase adoptions, and also donate food and supplies for the foster animals," said Erin. "I always wish I could do more to help animals, but finding the extra time can be difficult. Helping Pet Haven in these small ways helps me feel as though I am doing my part to help the animals. All of the volunteers are role models, and I can only strive to be as selfless and caring as they are. They are genuine heroes in my book."
And of course, the night would not be complete without a round of tears! There was not a dry eye in the house following Marilou Chanrasmi's heartfelt thank you and Fund the Need presentation. As president of Pet Haven, Marilou has dedicated countless hours to rescuing homeless animals, educating communities about the importance of spaying/neutering and responsible guardianship, and serving as an advocate for our furry friends that do not have a voice.
Cheryl Kaye from the 102.9 Lite FM Morning Show had the pleasure of attending the Fall Benefit for the first time this year. "I was especially touched my Marilou's personal comments during the benefit," said Cheryl. "She really moved me with her story connecting her father's passing to her work and the way she feels his spirit lived on through Pet Haven. I applaud all of the volunteers for the incredible work they do to help the animals!"
Pet Haven would like to thank all of the volunteers who came together to make the night such a huge success. It would not have been possible without their generosity, time and resources. We look forward to seeing everyone who participated again next year!