St. Augustine Florida-based Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue will present The M*A*S*H Gala: A Benefit for Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue on Sat., Jan. 23 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra.
The event will be emceed by actor Ed Asner, best-known as television’s iconic Lou Grant, and features a reunion of cast members from the award-winning television series M*A*S*H.
Attending cast members include Mike Farrell (Captain “B.J.” Hunnicut), Jamie Farr (Corporal Maxwell Klinger), Loretta Swit (Major Margaret “Hotlips” Houlihan) and a special appearance by an additional beloved cast member to be announced during the event.
The M*A*S*H Gala will also feature a live auction where attendees may bid for a round of golf with Jamie Farr, lunch with either Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit, the surprise cast member, or Ed Asner, a trip to the Bahamas and more. A silent auction will be held as well.
The Gala includes a gourmet dinner and music by Gainesville’s Gosia and Ali featuring Harold Fethe. All proceeds from the M*A*S*H Gala will go to help build Peter’s Friends Animal Resource Center’s community low and no-cost spay, neuter, and vaccination clinic in St. Johns County.
According to Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue’s Executive Director, Fran Charlson, the M*A*S*H Gala is a once-in-a-lifetime event put together thanks to the efforts of a one-of-a-kind woman: Loretta Swit.
“Loretta has been a tireless advocate for Ayla’s Acres and our mission for several years now and for her to put in so much time to coordinate and bring her friends together to support this cause is simply monumental,” Charlson said. “She knows how committed we are to animal advocacy in St. Johns and the surrounding counties. She also knows that Northeast Florida euthanizes around 30,000 animals a year and that giving our community access to low and no cost spay and neutering is essential to drive that number down. So we are partnering up to make this happen.”
Individual tickets are available as well as packages including 10-person tables and a limited number of VIP tickets for a reception with the stars prior to the event. Hilton Garden Inn Ponte Vedra will offer discounted rooms for people attending the event.
Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, Inc. is a St. Augustine-based non-profit 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 recently launched a $2.6 million dollar capital campaign to raise funds to build Peter’s Friends Animal Resource Center in St. Johns County. Ayla’s Acres receives no government funding, relying instead on private donations of money, supplies, and items that are sold through their thrift shop, Ayla’s Attic (142 King St., St. Augustine). Learn more at www.aylasacres.org.
For more information please contact hampton@aylasacres.org or call (904) 671.5506.
