A portion of the monies raised at a recent fundraising event are earmarked to purchase new equipment for the Martinsville Henry County SPCA.
The agency’s gala was held March 16 at the Chatmoss Country Club, with 111 reservations. Supporters and staff gathered to celebrate the organization’s success, mark its 50th anniversary, and raise funds for the coming year – a portion of which will be used to buy an X-ray machine.
The shelter met its fundraising goal for the machine by night’s end, partly due to optional donations directly after the live auction. The live auction was hosted by Duke Says Sold, an auction company from Flat Rock, North Carolina. Items up for auction included several catered experiences, such as a stay at the local La Dolce Vita in Stanleytown. Event attendees were each given a numbered sign to bid on the items, with many of them going for more than $1,000. A call to donate rang out after the auction concluded, starting at the $5,000 donation level, which was immediately met with several donations.
The donation levels slowly decreased in price, with some attendees offering to match donations. As the donations were winding down, Dr. Jerri Anne Hill, Martinsville Henry County SPCA veterinarian, proceeded to detail the need for an X-ray machine, and a separate fund for the piece of medical equipment was established.
Members of the audience immediately jumped to action to donate the needed funds. An hour later, the SPCA had raised enough money to cover the cost of the new medical equipment. The X-ray machine will help Dr. Hill to detect health problems such as broken limbs, heart issues, and foreign bodies.
Catherine Gupton, chief operations officer, said that the new in-house X-ray machine will significantly increase the chance of saving animal lives and save the center money from purchasing X-rays outside of the shelter.
“Tonight went absolutely beautifully. The support of our community and the amazing group of donors has truly been life-changing for the shelter and the animals we will be caring for. We just want to say thank you from the bottoms of all of our hearts and the animal’s hearts,” Gupton said.
Guests also were treated to a presentation that included the history of the shelter and included information about how the current shelter was funded and built and provided a much-needed upgrade to staff working conditions and animal housing.
Officials said the agency has saved more than 40,000 animals and significantly reduced birth rates with its spay and neuter programs. Other milestones, such as the clinic’s opening, were also noted. The combined factors have greatly improved the shelter’s ability to enhance the lives of community animals.
Attendees were treated to several amenities to help make the night memorable. The shelter hired employees of the Imagine Circus for entertainment during cocktail hour. This entertainment included an employee in a cat costume who walked the gala floor mimicking the behaviors of a house cat, and a dog in a Victorian dress orbited by champagne bottles. The evening included an open bar and sit-down three-course dinner. At the end of the night, music played for any attendees who wished to dance.
The SPCA hosts a formal event each year with a slightly different theme. The next event is slated for 2025, but in the meantime, those wishing to adopt or support the shelter can contact them by phone, website, or drop by their physical location. The shelter is located at 132 Joseph Martin Hwy. in Martinsville. It is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
