Fundraiser to feature craft beers,
silent auction, door prizes
PRESQUE ISLE — Friends of Central Aroostook Humane Society and Momentum Aroostook are teaming up to present the fourth annual “A Toast for the Animals,” to be held during Downtown Presque Isle’s Main Street Mania. This year’s event will feature a Craft Beer Tasting and Silent Auction event taking place on Friday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Northeastland Hotel. Tickets are $15 each and proceeds will benefit the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
A ticket to the event will provide participants with four samples of Maine-made craft beer and an opportunity to learn about how to pair them. Each beer will be presented with an appropriate food pairing to showcase each selection’s unique flavors.
The evening’s activities also will include live music provided by Brian and Doug from the band Common Crossing, great door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction with a huge variety of exciting items, such as Hot Air Balloon rides during the 2014 Crown of Maine Balloon Festival, a night’s stay at the Hampton Inn in Presque Isle, jewelry, pottery, photographs, numerous antiques and handmade crafts from local artisans, a beautiful Tim Gagnon painting, and many local merchant gift certificates.
Also new to this year’s Toast for the Animals is the sharing of “CAHS Success Stories.” Organizers have asked supporters to send them photos and stories of pets they’ve adopted from the Central Aroostook Humane Society for display at this year’s event. Organizers hope that sharing these stories during the event will be a great way to bring attention to the positive work the CAHS staff and volunteers do every day.
“The Toast for the Animals is our largest fund-raising event of the year and it is only possible thanks to all of the community support we receive from volunteers and local businesses,” Liz Farley, Friends group member and chair of this year’s event, said. “Over the past three years, this event has been highly successful and we are really excited to share our event with downtown Presque Isle this year! Our goal is to have 200 people turn out and to raise $8,500. The money raised will go toward some much-needed building improvements at the shelter.”
Among the main projects that the Friends group hopes to help fund with proceeds from this event are new windows and doors for the shelter. Right now, the shelter is having problems with its windows, which leak significantly when it rains. This causes the entire floor of some rooms to flood and requires the water to be physically swept into drains. This creates significant heat losses for the facility, which impacts the shelter’s heating costs.
“We may not be able to replace all of the windows at once, but the funds raised from the ‘Toast’ will definitely help us to replace those in the most dire need,” Farley said.
Friends of Central Aroostook Humane Society is a group of volunteers who help with fundraisers and events, as well as spread the word about adoptable animals, upcoming events and shelter happenings. The group is kept up-to-date through periodic e-mails and a meeting once per quarter. The group was founded in 2010. For more information about Friends of Central Aroostook Humane Society, e-mail friendsofCAHS@yahoo.com.
“Momentum Aroostook is pleased to once again be partnering with Friends of Central Aroostook Humane Society, as well as the Northeastland Hotel, to host this special event for the community,” Momentum Aroostook Steering Committee Chair Kari Wells-Puckett said. “This is an excellent opportunity not only for networking and enjoying a night on the town, but also raising money for an excellent cause.”
Momentum Aroostook is a diverse network of friends, business associates and individuals who are active in the community. Its mission is to provide opportunities for Aroostook County residents through professional and social events that highlight the advantages of working and living in northern Maine. The organization has three areas of focus: business and networking, charity and philanthropy, and sports and social opportunities. The typical member is 21-45 years old, but those young-at-heart are always welcome. For more information about Momentum Aroostook, visit www.momentumaroostook.com Tickets for the Nov. 22 event can be purchased in advance at the Northeastland Hotel and the Central Aroostook Humane Society, and will be available at the door.
You must be at least 21 years old to attend and proper ID is required. Dress for this event is business casual. For more information about this event or to RSVP, call Liz Farley at 227-8106, e-mail lizbuck2000@yahoo.com, or check out the event on Facebook.
