BUCKHANNON — A December 5 dinner will raise money for animal rescues, Buckhannon’s dog park and a new pet food pantry, with organizers saying this summer’s flooding has increased the need for help.
The FURtastic Elimination Dinner, formerly known as the Fur Ball, returns Saturday, December 5, to the Event Center at Brushy Fork with a social hour beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $40 per person and include a meal and entry in the elimination drawing, which carries a $1,000 prize for the last ticket drawn.
Organizer Elissa Linger outlined the fundraiser at Buckhannon City Council’s November 5 meeting, asking council members to attend and help support animal causes in Upshur and Lewis counties.
Councilman Jack Reger, who attended last year, said the evening offered good food and time to visit with other guests.
“I didn’t win anything, but I still had a very good time,” Reger said. “It’s a busy evening. It’s not boring; they did a tremendous job last year. And if that was the maiden voyage, then they know what they’re doing this year, so it should be even better.”
This year’s beneficiaries include LUV 4 Animals, Weston Friends of Ferals & Strays and the city’s dog park. Linger said Michelle Jack, through Sweet-A-Licious, is also working to establish a local pet food pantry.
Linger described the strain the summer’s flooding placed on families who lost housing and struggled to find temporary accommodations that would accept their pets.
“I love animals. Anybody who knows me knows this, and it has broken my heart this summer,” Linger said.
Dinner isn’t the only thing on the menu: The FURtastic evening will include music, a cash bar, basket auctions and other activities. Linger said prizes will be given throughout the night in addition to the $1,000 drawing.
Guests who want to attend together can purchase a reserved table for eight for $370. Linger said the table package includes hors d’oeuvres and a special greeting.
The Whistle Stop will again cater the meal. The menu features baked steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, fettuccine Alfredo, bread and dessert.
Linger said the caterer provided both good food and a favorable price at last year’s dinner. She also described support for this year’s auctions.
“There will be an auction. There will be baskets. We’ve got a lot of things coming in that we were surprised to hear when we asked. We expected donations, but because of the flood and the situation, some went over and above,” she said.
Organizers are adding vendors specializing in pet-related items this year. Their November announcement listed treats, bandanas, matching owner-and-animal socks and clothing among the offerings. It also said guests could bring a picture of their animal for artist JR Earls to draw.
Tickets can be purchased online through Zeffy. Tickets can also be obtained from Michelle Jack, Councilwoman Pam Bucklew or Linger.
The dinner follows a first-year fundraiser that raised nearly $8,500 for animal causes. Proceeds from that event included a $2,071.25 contribution to Buckhannon’s dog park, more than $4,000 for LUV 4 Animals and support for Weston Friends of Ferals & Strays.
Bucklew encouraged people to attend.
“Last year was our first year. It was a learning curve, and I think this year is going to be very successful. Anybody coming will have a great time,” Bucklew said.
Linger said organizers hope to fill the room this year.
“We’re hoping to sell out, and I hope to see everybody there,” she said.
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