‘Purses for Pooches’
By CHUCK?BALLARO
Need a new purse? Why spend a fortune when you can spend a lot less and help a worthy cause in the process?
The Animal Refuge Center will hold its fifth-annual Purses for Pooches event at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers on Saturday, Feb. 23, from noon to 3 p.m.
It’s still not too late to become a sponsor, buy a ticket or even contribute a purse to the cause, which support ARC’s Special Surgical Medical Fund.
“We’re always the go-to shelter for other shelters who say we have this case. Events like this help support that fund,” said ARC treasurer Betty Hughes.
Purses for Pooches will feature a lunch and dessert, silent auction and a live auction of more than 60 new and gently used designer purses.
“This event is a great chance to get a like-new purse from some of the best-known designer names for a fraction of their retail cost,” said ARC Board President Rob Spicker. “Anyone with an interest in picking up a bargain shouldn’t miss it.”
So far, the event has raised $7,500, with the goal of reaching $15,000 with the help of sponsorships, ticket sales and raffles, Hughes said.
There will also be a raffle with prizes that include a two-night stay at the Miami Biltmore in Coral Gables, Florida Symphony tickets, restaurant gift cards, bottles of wine and more, Hughes said.
Individual tickets are available for $45. The Cat’s Meow sponsorship is available for $250 and comes with two tickets and your logo displayed on the table. The Canine Couture Sponsorship is $500, and includes four tickets plus your logo on the table.
The Puparazzi sponsorship is $750 and comes with six tickets, a table near the runway and your logo on the table.
Catwalk sponsors will have their logo by the front entrance, by the runway, on their table and have their name announced during the runway show. The sponsorship also comes with eight tickets and a table next to the runway.
Animal lovers can also help the animals at ARC by cleaning out your closet and donating designer purses and scarves.
They may be dropped at: Bonney Leckie – Century 21 Selling Paradise, 3409 Del Prado Blvd. South, Suite 103, Cape Coral; The Animal Refuge Center 18011 Old Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers; and Home-Tech, 6400 Techster Blvd., Fort Myers.
All proceeds will benefit ARC’s Special Surgical Medical Fund in its efforts to provide shelter and medical care to needy cats and dogs until they find homes.
“We pull dogs from animal shelters and offer them complicated surgeries to repair fractures, tumor removals, eye surgeries and more,” Hughes said. “Any of the surgeries that other shelters deem the pet unadoptable and put them to sleep. We give animals a paw up.”
ARC is Southwest Florida’s largest no-kill shelter. It provides interim shelter and medical care to homeless, injured or abandoned animals.
ARC also places approximately 500 dogs and cats per year into responsible, loving homes through direct and indirect adoptions, according to the shelter.
For more, call Hughes at 841-0810.