Local businesses assist rescue animals with Howloween Bash
VINTON–While Vinton is well-known for its Halloween events for children, with annual downtown trick or treating and costume parties at the library, the adults in town who are twenty-one and older will have a chance to dress up and celebrate the holiday this year, all in the name of a good cause—animal rescue.
Howloween Bash is planned for November 2 at Woodland Place on Niagara Road in Vinton, sponsored by several Vinton area businesses and anonymous animal lovers.
(left to right) Ashley Williams holding "Chowda", Dana Boyd holding "Eli", and Meg Swecker have worked to organize Howloween Bash, a fundraiser for the Franklin County Humane Society at Woodland Place in Vinton on November 2. Williams and Boyd have become "forever parents" to Chowda and Eli, who they first fostered for the society, which accepts pets from Roanoke and Vinton area pounds and rescue shelters.
The party starts at 6:30 p.m. and for the price of a $25 ticket, attendees are invited to dress up in costume (optional), dine on IDK Restaurant catering, dance, listen to music, and shop at a silent auction. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a “Dollars for Dogs Costume Competition”, in which guests are invited to vote for their favorite costumed adult.
The Jersey Girls of Smith Mountain Lake will be on hand to sell their cookbooks with proceeds also going to the animals. A beer and wine cash bar will be available.
Donations for the silent auction include a week at Myrtle Beach, a bracelet from Fink’s Jewelers, various restaurant gift certificates, Mary Kay cosmetic bags, a cruise on the Virginia Dare, and a snorkeling gift certificate.
All proceeds go to the Franklin County Humane Society, a non-kill facility which accepts animals from the Roanoke and Vinton area pounds and rescue shelters who are in danger of euthanasia. All money goes straight to medical care for the animals, discounted spaying and neutering services, medication, veterinarian bills, and their adoption and foster care programs.
Sponsors include Dana Boyd of Woodland Place, RSP Entertainment, Steel Dynamics, Braley and Thompson specialists in foster care for children, and Wood’s Service Centers.
Howloween Bash was envisioned and organized by Ashley Williams, Meg Swecker, and volunteers from the Humane Society.
“We chose ‘Howloween’ because it is a fun time of year to dress up and raise money for the animals and in the past Halloween fundraisers have been very successful for the center,” said Williams, an assistant principal in the Roanoke County Public School system.
The Humane Society operates at 100% capacity and accepts animals from throughout the area until they are full up, regardless of health or age. When they reach capacity, there is a foster care program to house the animals until their “forever home” is found.
The Franklin County Humane Society sponsors adoption events throughout the area at locations such as Walmart, Tractor Supply, and even last spring’s Vinton Dogwood Parade. Rescued animals are advertised online so that they can be adopted anywhere across the country.
Those who cannot attend may donate to the cause online, and volunteers are always needed. Even those unable to work at the shelter can volunteer to assist with online services and adoptions.
Williams herself became a “forever parent” to puppy “Chowda” last spring when she took her in as a foster dog and found she couldn’t bear to give the dog up.
Boyd had the same experience with her dog Eli, who began as a foster animal. She decided to give back to the organization by donating the services of Woodland Place for “Howloween Bash.”
Tickets and information are available by calling 540-489-3491 or emailing juli0017@aol.com or www.plannedpethoodrockymont.com/donate.html.
