Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue is holding its fourth annual gala on Saturday, Feb. 2 to raise funds for its Peter’s Friends Animal Resource Center project.
Hosted by Loretta Swit of “M*A*S*H”, the event, titled “Rollin’ Down the Matanzas Casino Night,” will take place at the River House in St. Augustine. The event will run from 6 to 10 p.m. and feature Texas Hold ’Em poker, slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps. The “funny money” winnings will go toward raffle tickets to win items donated by local businesses.
A silent auction that includes travel, art and intrigue will be part of the fun. The Purple Olive will cater heavy hors d’oeuvres. Dessert will be served, and beer and wine will be available. Live entertainment will be provided by Little Jake and Soul Searchers.
Swit has been nominated and/or won awards including Emmy Awards; People’s Choice; Golden Globes; The Sarah Siddons Award; and a Lifetime Career Achievement Award from the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. She was host and creative consultant of the series, “Those Incredible Animals,” for the Discovery Channel. For her humanitarian efforts, she recently received the Betty White Award by Actors and Others for Animals, and is an honorary board member of Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue. She just released the book, “SWITHEART: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit” and will be signing copies of the book at the gala. All of the money raised from the sale of the books goes to Loretta’s Switheart Foundation, of which Ayla’s Acres is a recipient.
“This is our fourth Loretta Swit and Friends Gala,” said Fran Charlson, executive director of Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue. “It’s an important component in making Peter’s Friends a reality. Events such as this will make that possible. This event is going to be a terrific evening of fun and entertainment right in St Augustine. You won’t want to miss it!”
Tickets are $95 and include a drink ticket (beer and wine), $250 in “funny money,” one raffle ticket, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing and live entertainment. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.aylasacres.org or by calling (904) 325-3554. You can also buy tickets at the Ayla’s Acres Thrift Shop located at 142 King St. in St. Augustine.
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 organization is currently raising money to build the St. Johns County-based Peter’s Friends Animal Resource Center, which will serve as an adoption facility, low-/no-cost spay and neuter clinic and education and outreach center. Ayla’s Acres receives no government funding, relying instead on private grants and donations of money, supplies and items that are sold through its thrift shop.
Some of the event sponsors include Ted and Page Pratt, Fred and Kalisa King, Mimi Selig, PIA and Me Scenic Charters, Spickelmier Insurance, Thompson Realty & Development Inc., Toni Crawford, First Coast Veterinary Specialists, First Coast Veterinary Emergency, Boomerang Air Charter, My Sky, Southeast Veterinary Hospital, Cordova Company, A and T Home Services, Pure Energy, Tyson True Chews Dog Treats, St. Augustine Hyundai, Blue Buffalo, Reunion Bank, Herbie Wiles Insurance, Endless Summer Realty, Portnoy CPA, FLNG Foundation, Movement Mortgage and Sampson Collaborative Law, PLLC.
