The Estevan Humane Society is preparing for its largest fundraiser of the year.
The annual Whiskers and Wine Gala will take place on Feb. 8 at the Estevan Exhibition building. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and supper, catered by EB’s, will begin at 7 p.m.
Entertainment will be taking place throughout the evening. Angela Clements will provide music during cocktails and supper, and later in the evening, through her AC Entertainment DJ service.
There will also be live music. Former Estevan resident Joel Henderson, who performs under the name Poor Nameless Boy, will be the opening act. Then Hook and Nail, a local folk trio who performed at last year’s gala, will take to the stage as the headliners.
“They were really popular last year. I think a lot of came out even specifically to see them,” said Estevan Humane Society president Angela Prette. “They’re a great local band. It’s awesome that they’re going to be able to perform for us again this year. We’re really excited for that.”
A live auction will be part of the event as well. In the past it has been art items, but this year it has been opened up to other large-scale donations.
“We’re still in the midst of gathering those as well,” said Prette.
Tickets are on sale for the event. Some corporate tables are still available, and Prette is confident that they will be gobbled up in time for the gala. Capacity for the event is about 200 people, but that includes the volunteers who make the event happen.
“I know that the plans that we have for this year, I’m really excited for. It’s definitely going to be better than last year,” said Prette.
Most of the sponsors are in place as well, but Prette said some are still available.
The money raised at the gala will be directed towards the operations of the shelter. The humane society is a non-profit organization partially funded by the city, but they have to do the majority of their fundraising, and this is the biggest fundraiser of the year.
“It just helps with the animal costs, medical bills, housing and all that sort of stuff,” said Prette.
Last year’s gala raised about $15,000 for the humane society and the operation of its shelter.
Prette expects they will be busy planning for the gala over the next month, but she is confident the fundraiser will once again be a success.
