Anderson Animal Shelter hosts 'Better Together (Virtual) Gala'

Anderson Animal Shelter is hosting "Better Together (Virtual) Gala," an online auction featuring more than 150 items, through Saturday, April 18. The auction will close at 7 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., on Anderson's website, they will host a special video announcement with livestreaming.

The online auction features trips, family fun and treats. Participants will be able to find something to satisfy any interest and any budget!

Auction items include:

• "Get Outta Town" options include: an overnight stay for four at The Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva with gift card; a two-night stay at the Landmark Resort for two, in Door County, Wisconsin; a weekend for two with hot breakfast at the Chicago Marriott Oakbrook Hotel; "Sunshine Dreams," an 8-day, 7-night stay in luxury accommodations at one of six five-star luxury resorts, including ground transportation to and from airport; behind-the-scenes tour at Lincoln Park; "Stroll (and Stay) Along Third Street with weeknight stay at the Herrington Inn, meal for two with drinks at Egg Harbor, $20 gift certificate to Bruce & Willy's Pet Source, $25 gift certificate to Liz & Kate Boutique, $25 gift certificate to Edie Boutique, one-hour massage at Elements, $25 gift card to Villa Verona, and $30 gift card to All Chocolate Kitchen.

• "Splurge Worthy" includes: joining owner and Captain Bryan Sims on a six-hour sail on Lake Michigan aboard Suspect, a 60-foot custom-made yacht; spend the day playing and eating at Flagship on the Fox with a $25 gift card and enjoy a relaxing night (for two) at the Fairfield Inn; "Eat Your Way Around Geneva" with $25 Chianti's gift card, $25 Country House gift card, $25 Preservation Bread & Wine gift card, $25 Stockholm's gift card, $30 Gia Mia gift card, $25 Barrel & Rye gift card, and one lunch in the Atrium Cafe; "Eat Your Way Around Batavia" with $40 Lumes gift certificate, $10 Bulldogs Red Hots gift certificate, $50 Pal Joey's gift certificate, and $20 Batavia Creamery gift certificate; and "Eat Your Way Around St. Charles" with $10 Taco Madre gift card, $20 Filling Station gift card, $25 La Mesa Modern Mexican gift card, $25 Spotted Fox Ale House gift card, $25 Szechwan Restaurant gift card, $50 Francesca's gift card, $20 Brunch Cafe gift card, 14 coupons for free bowls of noodles from Noodles & Co, and $30 Riverlands Brewing gift card.

• "Animal Lover's Avenue" options include: a beautifully designed Anuschka Cardinal Purse featuring hand-painted cardinal on a branch with red berries; Cardinal Lovers' Basket, with cardinal purse, handcrafted cardinal earrings, glass cardinal plate with stand, cardinal bird feeder and bird food; and antiqued blue hanging bird feeder with perches and bird decorations.

• "Healthy and Happy" options include: a $75 gift card for plants and other items from the Wasco Nursery; a $20 gift certificate to Grow in Geneva and a planting pot; and $100 certificate good toward any veterinary service at Gateway Veterinary Clinic in St. Charles

The gala is the largest fundraiser and provides much-needed funding for the animal care supplies used every day.

To bid on auction items, visit events.readysetauction.com/andersonanimalshelter/2020bettertogetherga.

After the governor's stay-at-home order, the South Elgin-based shelter, with locations in Bloomingdale and North Aurora, had to cancel or suspend all in-person programming, including adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter clinics, vaccination and dental clinics and humane education programming.

Because these programs have been suspended, so has the revenue they provide. The adoption program alone provides nearly 50% of the operational income.

Even though adoptions have been suspended, Anderson Animal Shelter still has nearly 200 dogs and cats in its care. Most are in foster homes, and staff members continue to provide them with veterinary care, medications, food and other supplies.

In addition, Anderson Animal Shelter remains committed to paying the staff so they do not suffer financially.

As the fear of financial uncertainty grows, so does the potential decrease in revenue stream that funds Anderson Animal Shelter's ability to provide shelter, food and medical care to homeless animals.

Your gift will provide emergency funding to ensure the shelter's ability to carry out its mission.

To make a donation to this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or for more details, visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org. Use PayPal or a credit card.