Annual Toast a smashing success
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Gloria J. Towle
The Seventh Annual Toast to the Animals was a smashing success and an amazing fundraiser for the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We had around 175 people who supported this event, and over $7,000 was raised on Nov. 19.
This event is planned and put on annually by a Toast Committee from the Board of Directors. This year we teamed up with Betty Hersey from the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center. Betty went above and beyond to make this event special for us. She provided us with very different and unique choices of wine and beers, and the hors d’oeuvres that were served were incredibly delicious. Although this was a new venue this year for our fundraiser, we found that the Toast has become a popular and growing event and the spacious room at the Convention Center was the perfect fit! 
This year’s music was provided by Jacob Graham. Amazingly, he graciously donated his time and played almost nonstop for three hours. Jake played a variety of soft, easy listening music and kept the Toast-goers in a festive mood all night long.
Board members Winona Christnot-Peters and Rose Fraser put together a beautiful slideshow of adoptable animals available at the shelter, as well as shelter “Success Stories” that were lucky enough to find forever homes. All the Toast to the Animals sponsors also ran throughout the evening, reminding everyone of the real reason they had come to the Toast — to help animals in need.
Nancy Nichols and Gloria J. Towle were the Toast coordinators this year, and did an amazing job! They, along with other board members, helped put the event together. The real heroes were the businesses and individuals who sponsored the Toast or donated auction items. The silent auction featured over 100 items, and brought in the lion’s share of the funds raised. Attendees bid high, knowing the money was going to a worthy cause.
The night also featured many door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Mark Carmichael was the lucky ticket holder and won $157, and generously donated all of it back to the shelter. Thank you so much, Mark! There was also a beautiful quilt made and donated by Jeannie Wilcox that was raffled off. Megan Flannigan was thrilled to be the lucky winner.
Much of the funds raised are designated for the continued care of the animals and needed supplies for the shelter. None of the success we experienced this year would have been possible without all the volunteers who worked so hard to bring the event to fruition, especially the financial support of the event’s sponsors and many who donated money and items for our auction. We truly thank each and every one of you!
Don’t forget that pictures with Santa Paws will be Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit us on petfinders.com and Facebook. Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
