Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue raised approximately $25,000 at its recent “Rollin’ Down the Matanzas Casino Night” fundraiser at the River House in St. Augustine.
Held Feb. 2, the fourth annual gala was hosted by Loretta Swit of “M*A*S*H”, an honorary board member for Ayla’s Acres. Approximately 250 people attended and enjoyed playing casino games such as blackjack, Texas Hold’em, roulette, craps and more. The event also featured a silent auction, catering by Purple Olive and live entertainment by Little Jake and Soul Searchers.
“I think people had a great time,” said Fran Charlson, executive director of Ayla’s Acres. “They enjoyed themselves, eating, drinking but supporting the animals.”
The fundraiser will support the nonprofit’s plans for Peter’s Friends Animals Resource Center, a facility that is going to be built on County Road 208 in St. Johns County. According to Charlson, the facility will house an adoption facility, an education facility and a low-/no-cost spay and neuter clinic. The nonprofit plans to break ground this year.
Ayla’s Acres is a St. Augustine-based nonprofit supporting adoption, spay and neuter and responsible care of animals. Along with education, outreach, adoption and fostering programs, Ayla’s Acres maintains a 45-acre sanctuary where “unadoptable” animals may live out their lives with peace, love and dignity.
The fifth annual gala will be held Feb. 8, 2020 at the River House in St. Augustine.
