WILLIAMSTOWN - A Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser brought out animal lovers Saturday night to benefit the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley at the ninth annual Fur Ball.
Juanita Becker, fundraiser-volunteer, said the night included food, drinks and entertainment with a raffle, a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction with items donated by area businesses and individuals. She said the entertainment was provided by Loose As it Gets, a local band.
"About 200 came out for tonight," she said. "This goes to cover medical costs, the medical fund and a percentage goes to the building fund" for the Marietta-based society.
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Juanita Becker and Rhonda Deem, both humane society volunteers, were in the spirit for the evening’s theme at Saturday night’s annual Fur Ball. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)
Becker said while this year's theme was Mardi Gras, planning has begun for the 2013 edition that may have a Parisian theme.
Janie Snell, president of the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley. said the fundraiser is the source of most of the society's funds for the year.
"A certain percentage will go to operations," she said. "A portion will go to our new building fund. We had a sizable donation a couple of years ago and we can't touch it for anything other than a new building."
Snell said the society decided to use some of the proceeds to build up the fund.
"It is important we support that and not expect the public to do it," she said.
Carol McKitrick, an HSOV board member, said she came up with two sweatshirts designed for the event. One had the society logo on it with the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley beneath the logo. The other had the logo with "adopt" under it instead.
McKitrick said she began as a volunteer and her involvement just grew from there.
"It's something that became a passion for me," she said. "I think the fund raising part is the most fun."
McKitrick said she used to work on the society's website, but those duties have been passed on to someone else.
Boaz resident Debbie Randolph said she has been to almost every Fur Ball.
"I've come every year unless the weather is bad," she said as she browsed items at the event. "I've always supported them."
