On Valentine’s Day, you are invited to spread the love to your furry friends at this year’s “For the Love of Animals” Fur Ball hosted by the Greenbrier Humane Society. This event is held on Friday, February 14th, 8pm-11pm at the Lewisburg Elk’s Country Club/19th Hole Bar & Grille. There will be a board showcasing photos of several adoptable pets, a silent auction, food, music by DJ Blaw Knox (pictured with his pup), and a cash bar. This is a formal event and if you need a dress, you may find it at Cecilia’s Bridal & Formal Wear (see ad on right). Buying from Cecilia’s, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to the Greenbrier Humane Society.

The Fur Ball originally started in the 1980’s and to date has raised approximately $100,000 (these funds were raised primarily when the event was taken over by the Humane Society, beginning in the 90’s). All this funding has helped the Humane Society continue to service this community and make great strides for local furballs. The society offers a low cost spray/neuter program that allows the public to make a donation for a voucher, which then covers the entire cost of their cats and dogs. One of their main goals is population control and last year they issued 1,883 spray/neuter vouchers. Adoptions are also a primary service and last year they adopted out 951 animals, 99 returned to owners.

19th Hole Bar & Grille (located inside the club) will be serving Hors d’ourvres, including miniature sandwiches, cream cheese pinwheels, anti pasta skewers, fruit kabobs, hot wings, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages. Please note, there will no Friday Night Buffet.

Silent Auction items include: “Golf for 4” at the Greenbrier Resort or Elk’s Club or Greenbrier Sporting Club, ground badges for 4 to this year’s PGA hosted by The Greenbrier Resort, various jewelry items, dog grooming certificates, golf lessons, dog obedience classes, framed WVU stadium print, Sam Snead prints, Valentine’s basket, Bath & Body basket, Italian food basket, and many other items by local artisans and businesses.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and may be purchased from Cecilia’s (downtown Lewisburg), the 19th Hole Bar & Grille, the Greenbrier Humane Society (151 Holliday Lane, Lewisburg. 645-4775) or from any of the Humane Society’s board members: Judy Walz-Harris (President), All American Beer Company’s Jennifer Runyon (Vice President), SPH Interiors’ Suzanne Perilli-Hancock (Secretary), Doug Bicksler (Treasurer), Cindy Jones Frances Layton, Brian Krug, Judith Huber, Angela King, and Tom White. Some of these folks may be carrying tickets for the event so please don’t hesitate to stop and ask them, says the Humane Society.

Sponsorships are available for this event:
“Diamond” $750 – Reserved table for ten, party favors, chocolates, 2 bottles of Champagne, & 10 Champagne flutes.
“Emerald” $450 – Reserved table for 8, party favors, & chocolates.
“Ruby” $200 – Reserved table for 4 & party favors

Everyone needs a night out on Valentine’s day so why not enjoy it with fellow animal lovers? You’ll be able to relax with friends and raise money for the furballs in this community. The Greenbrier Humane Society would like to give a big thank you to Bob and Cindy Jones for their generous donation toward this event. They would also like to thank Gillespie’s Flowers, the 19th Hole, Elk’s Country Club, and every pet loving person in this community for everything you’ve done to make the Fur Ball such a wonderful success.

– Christina Entenmann, LBSPY #50. (Feb 10-March 10, 2014)