By CATHY MOUNCE, Register Staff Writer
Gainesville —
Spirits were high at the 2013 Noah’s Ark “Fur Ball” despite Saturday night’s severe storm.
Fundraiser organizers had hoped the event, held at the Gainesville Civic Center, would draw 300-350 shelter supporters but only 200-225 braved the night’s rainy, stormy conditions.
Despite the weather, the event netted $46,000 to help support shelter operations.
Fundraiser proceeds are only a portion of the estimated $200,000 it takes to keep the shelter going each year, said Noah’s Ark board member Larry Claxton.
“The storm definitely hurt our bottom line and we will be brainstorming about other ways we can achieve our budgetary goals,” Claxton said. “Committee members met last night to discuss our calendar for the rest of the year. We normally have a smaller scale fundraiser at the Lake Kiowa pavilion in early fall but we are open for any new opportunities between now and then.”
Games and an auction were highlights of the evening, Claxton said.
Patty Camp and Jim Robertson were the two finalists in the “heads or tails” game before auctioneer Corgie Fisher opened bidding on auction items.
Events such as the “Fur Ball” are essential to help fund Noah’s Ark, Claxton said, adding the shelter does not receive government assistance and is a publicly funded corporation dependent on donations to support shelter efforts.
For more information on Noah’s Ark call 665-9800.
