By Mike Stoll
Special to The PREVIEW
The 24th edition of the Auction for the Animals on Friday, Aug. 24, is right around the corner.
The annual auction is the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs’ major fundraiser of the year and always features some awesome items to bid on in both the silent and live auction portions of the evening. This year is no exception.
How does a South Pacific getaway sound? Win a trip to Fiji for up to four people and experience a seven-night stay in a two-bedroom villa at a renowned oceanfront resort. Complimentary services include bicycles, guide service, ocean sports, crafts and cultural activities. Private in-villa chef prepared meals are available for an additional fee. Or, you can venture across the border with a getaway for two to Cabo San Lucas and a four-night stay at a beach and golf resort. Roundtrip airfare to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, is included.
Or, choose to experience San Francisco, Calif., and the Sonoma wine country with a three-night stay for two, including tours and tastings. Round-trip airfare is included. Booking and concierge service is provided for all trips.
Would you like to adorn yourself or loved one with exquisite one-of-a-kind jewelry? The live auction will include two pieces made exclusively for this year’s Auction for the Animals. We have a stunning 14-karat yellow gold and diamond pendant with a half-ounce fine gold coin depicting the Chinese calendar Year of the Dog on a gold omega chain. We have a gorgeous combination sterling silver and 14-karat gold heart and puppy pendant, set with sapphires, on a sterling silver omega chain. Either piece would make a wonderful and exclusive gift that an animal lover will treasure.
Perhaps collectibles and memorabilia appeal to you. The live auction includes a collection of 14 beautiful duck decoys in superb condition. The wooden waterfowl were handcrafted between 1988 and 1993 and represent numerous species, from pintails and mergansers to goldeneyes and loons. For the sports enthusiast and history buff, we also have a framed photo of the iconic image of Muhammad Ali defeating Sonny Liston in 1965. The photo is autographed by Ali and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
For the music lover or collector of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, the live auction also features a guitar autographed by Steven Tyler and the members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Aerosmith. The “Walk This Way” guitar is tastefully mounted and framed for display. Bring a memorable piece of rock ‘n’ roll fame and history into your home with this awesome autographed guitar.
How about a unique gift for a budding chocolatier? Win an awesome gift basket full of goodies that also includes an opportunity to create your own chocolate experience. Flex your chocolate-making skills with some expert guidance and let your confectionary creativity flow.
For the shooting enthusiast or collector, the live auction also includes a Remington 700 BDL, America’s most popular bolt-action rifle of all time, in .30-06 caliber, with a scope, and a never-fired Marlin model XT-22 bolt-action .22 caliber rifle with a truly gorgeous stock.
For the chess lover or anyone who appreciates woodworking skill, we have a handcrafted chess table made with obvious care and dedication. The table was made as a mentored project by a young man at an at-risk youth camp and was originally purchased to support the work of the youth camp and subsequently donated to the Auction for the Animals to support the work of the Humane Society. A quality chess set is included with the table.
Other auction items include a stunning turned wooden vessel by a local wood artisan, gorgeous jewelry, and a unique and beautiful hand-dyed silk quilt.
The silent auction will feature a wide array of wonderful items with something for everyone, at a price point for everyone. Silent auction items include round-trip tickets on an airline; fine jewelry from local businesses and private collections; ski passes; tickets for a train; additional great trips; Native American pottery, baskets and blankets; a huge selection of gift certificates and gift baskets from area merchants; as well sporting goods, memorabilia and much more.
There are also great gift certificates from local professional services ranging from veterinary, medical and dental care to therapeutic massage and personal styling to computer and website design and maintenance. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase a special treat for yourself and do some early holiday shopping for friends and family, too.
Tickets for the second annual Raining Cats and Dogs Raffle will also be for sale at the auction. Raffle tickets are $50. One winning ticket will be drawn during the live auction portion of the evening and the winner will receive one-third of the raffle ticket proceeds. Last year’s winner received over $5,000. The balance of the ticket proceeds benefits the cats and dogs at the shelter, providing a much-needed boost to cover the costs of shelter operations. For additional raffle information, please call 264-5549.
All this exciting auction fun is happening Friday, Aug. 24, at the Ross Aragon Community Center. The festive evening features a delicious seated dinner and dessert, along with a selection of fine wines, great beers and soft drinks from the cash bar. Tickets are $40, available only in advance. The auction has sold out the last four years, so don’t delay. Any remaining tickets may be purchased at the Humane Society thrift store or by calling 264-5549.
The Community Center doors will open at 6 p.m. Festivities will begin with the silent auction followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. and then the live auction. Live music will be provided by Bob Hemenger, and Thad McKain will be the evening’s emcee. Popular professional auctioneer Ken Kincaid will again handle the bidding activity, ably assisted by local auction spotters Mike Branch and Mark Crain.
The theme of this year’s auction is “A Bluesy Night in Memphis,” so wear your best blues, bring a smile, and be ready to enjoy great Memphis-style barbecue and some soulful saxophone. Dress is “Pagosa Fancy” (in other words, jeans are OK).
The Humane Society of Pagosa Springs serves our community by providing homeless and lost animals with temporary shelter and care until they can be reunited with their owners or an adoptive family can be found. We also operate the Humane Society thrift store downtown, which serves the needs of so many in our community by offering low-cost and high-quality gently used household items, clothing and much more.
The success of the annual Auction for the Animals is essential to the Humane Society’s mission of providing a safe haven and quality care for nearly 700 temporary residents each year. The auction also supports our many community programs, including our new Aid for Seniors with Pets program, which provides support to senior citizens whose financial situation or living circumstances make it difficult for them to provide all of the nutritional, veterinary and daily care that their much-loved pets need and deserve. Aid for Seniors with Pets helps keep people and pets together to share that special bond that is so important for some of our senior citizens.
Please plan to attend one of the most enjoyable evenings of the year in support of a great cause. Our local Humane Society does not receive any funding from the Humane Society of the United States, American Humane, the ASPCA or the United Way. The animal shelter relies on revenue from private donations, our thrift store and fundraisers such as the Auction for the Animals to create a safe haven for animals in need.
For more information on the event, please contact the Humane Society at 264-5549. See you at the auction on Aug. 24.
