"FurBall 2008" ~ Dress
to Impress
White tails and tennis shoes, flip flops and board shorts…no you
didn't enter a home for the tastefully challenged or the next victim
of the television show "What Not to Wear"! Those who attended
"FurBall 2008" know exactly what we are talking about!
SeaWorld
Orlando (Bill Smith, in particular) put the bug in our ear for this
year's theme. The creative geniuses at Red Rocket (David, Tom and Alan)
helped take our theme to the hilt! The publicity mascots at this year
auction spectacular, "Shag" the sheepdog and "Meriwether"
the tabby, loved sharing their outfit choices on our invitation. Here
at the SPCA of Central Florida staff and volunteers still can't decide
if the muumuu works best with blue sandals or the snorkel mask with
board shorts...hmmm…on with the article…
Thanks to our artistic friends at Greenery Productions we had flip
flops everywhere! Even on the tables! (Of course, not the kind you wear.)
They provided tropical floral arrangements with the flip flops and floating
candles with sea shells to set the mood for a beachy good time.
This
year's silent auction contained more than 300 items for everyone including
lavish spa treatments for the ladies, rounds at all the best golf courses
in Orlando for the gents, a plush bed and canine massage for Fido, for
kitty a new scratching post, and even the best in pet care boarding
for vacationers.
Speaking of scratching posts, you should have seen the eight foot lavish
hideaway for finicky felines that was donated by Pet Tree Houses, LLC!
The bidding for the SPCA of Central Florida's calendar got very competitive
this year. There's no doubt, it's due to the fact we brought back the
best animal photographer in Central Florida… Erica Matyas with
Photohound Dog Photography! Don't let the name fool you! She snapped
some fabulous shots of cats and horses in our 2008 calendar.
FurBall guests noshed on lots of taste tempting treats and goodies
at SeaWorld's Ports of Call. Guests enjoyed a surprise up-close and
personal encounter with "Clyde" (the famous partner of "Seymour")
when an oversized golf cart with a flat bed pulled into the patio area.
The
live auction was filled to the brim as well! SeaWorld Orlando generously
donated a day as a Mammal Keeper; JW Marriott had a dinner for four
at the chef's table, and of course we had lots of trips this year: Chicago,
Las Vegas, Sonoma, California and even Monaco! And as the live bidding
came to a close we received a staggering amount of cash donations from
some very nice "FurBall" guests!
Following the live auction, guests enjoyed a private showing of "Shamu
Rocks". That night Shamu stadium really rocked as trainers and
killer whales performed astonishing feats to a rock 'n' roll beat. Along
with the toe tapping a few guests got maybe…ummmm… perhaps…ummmm…possibly…a
little bitty wet?! (That's what happens when you get a tad too close
to Shamu!)
All donations and the proceeds from the auction items will help the
homeless animals at the SPCA of Central Florida and the programs we
bring to the Central Florida community. This year we raised more than
$170,000, breaking our last year's record by more than $20,000. Rock
on!
On behalf of the SPCA of Central Florida, we'd like to take this time
to say "Thank you"
to the companies and individuals who made "FurBall 2008" our
best year yet!
…to our friends at SeaWorld Orlando, Darden Restaurants, Bayer
Healthcare LLC, Red Rocket and WRDQ 27… together we are able to
create the best event in Central Florida!
…to our 2008 Persian and Cheshire Sponsors, and each and every
donor who contributed to our auction ~ you helped us reach new heights!
We thank you for your overwhelming generosity!
…to our creative assistance team this year got even bigger! Cayolyn
Ehlinger and Robin Fudali helped us tirelessly every weekend packaging,
prepping and prettying each and every auction item. That's a lot of
auction items! We are so grateful and wish to thank them for their dedication
and tireless support!
…to Ms. Brenda Lounsberry, Mr. Brad Prugh, Ms. Sarah Knipling
and Ms. Sonya Dixon for being our chairs for "FurBall 2008."
They went above and beyond with support of the auction, sponsorship
sales and brainstorming behind this event. Our hats are off to you!
…to the staff, volunteers and Board Members at the SPCA…
they work tirelessly to make each event bigger and better than the one
before… we are so very proud of each of you! Thank you, thank you,
and thank you for being our awesome support system!
Finally, a huge hug and kiss to the guys at Red Rocket, Inc. who have
provided the very creative print materials for "FurBall" for
the last 10 years. They do it graciously and, they do it pro bono. That,
my friends, is truly an act of love and compassion for all our homeless
pets. Thanks, guys, for hanging in with us and having so much fun with
our materials.
Next year, FurBall will be held at SeaWorld on May 16th. Put this date
in your i-phone, blackberry, appointment calendar or tickler file today
so you won't miss this spectacular evening. Who knows what we have in
store for next year… you'll have to stay tuned in to find out!
This year's theme for "FurBall" was anything goes! We suggested
our guests pull that Hawaiian print shirt out of the back of your closet,
shake the sand out of those sandals and don a tuxedo jacket…or
wear a tiara with a ball gown and bejeweled flip flops. May 3rd was
all about mixing up a beach outfit with something formal, and our "FurBall
2008" guests did just that!
