The MSPCA-Angell Animal Tales Gala Raises Over $480,000
May 6, 2011
Aerosmith bassist and Red Sox players help raise funds for homeless animals at sold out fundraiser
| PHOTOS: Check out photos from the Animals Tales Gala at the MSPCA-Angell’s Facebook page. |
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Jason Varitek with Luna and MSPCA-Angell 2011 Animal Tales Gala event chair Jessica Gifford with Izzie |
The MSPCA-Angell held its fifth annual Animal Tales Gala on May 5 at the spectacular WGBH studios. The event sold out in late March to more than 450 supporters of the non-profit and is the largest fundraiser in the MSPCA-Angell’s history.
“The Animal Tales Gala has been building momentum since its inception and under the guidance of event chair Jessica Gifford we have reached new heights,” said MSPCA-Angell president Carter Luke. “Our consistent inclusion of dogs and their owners at this event strikes a chord with our supporters and attendance has nearly doubled since last year. The incredible success of our pre-event sales may be an indicator that, after a few lean years, giving back is bouncing back.”
This year, event chair Jessica Gifford, WCVB’s Randy Price, and auctioneer Kathy Kingston helped raise funds for the continued work of the MSPCA-Angell to provide care to animals in need. They were joined on the runway by local luminaries including Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, Jason Varitek and Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox, among others. There were also updates and special appearances from several of the animals that the MSPCA-Angell has helped in the past year.
"Animals have hearts, they have minds and they have feelings,” said Red Sox captain Jason Varitek with his fiancée and event committee member Catherine Panagiotopoulos. “We both love animals and have a heartfelt desire to help. We are proud to support the MSPCA-Angell."
The event also featured six live auction items including a unique New England Patriots game day experience, a private sailing experience aboard a 50’ yacht, a luxury view of the Red Sox/Yankees including brunch with Jason Varitek, a behind the scenes day at Angell Animal Medical Center alongside Dr. Joel Kaye, a dinner with Doc Rivers and several additional sports figures, and a poker night with author Ben Mezrich at the private chef’s table at Mandarin Oriental, Boston’s Asana restaurant.
