Attendance was down a little for last year's annual Fur Ball to benefit the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley, and organizers hope this year the weather will cooperate.
"The weather was not good the night before. I remember there was a lot of ice," said volunteer Lisa Merrow. "But we continue to have the event in February because it's still winter - we're not into the spring sports and all that - and people want to get out of the house."
The group fell about $5,000 short of their $15,000 goal, according to Merrow, and they are hoping that this year will bring an opportunity to make it up.
Article Photos
Times file photo
Local band Loose As It Gets performs last year during the seventh annual Fur Ball to benefit the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley. This year’s event will be from 8 p.m.. to midnight Saturday at the American Legion Post 159 in Williamstown.
"Our goal again this year is $15,000 - 85 percent goes to the operating fund, 5 percent goes to our new building and 10 percent goes to medical expenses for the animals," Merrow said.
The event will be held Saturday at American Legion Post 159 in Williamstown. While Merrow admits that in the past the venue could get crowded, the group is grateful for the hospitality offered by the Legion.
"We are definitely going to talk about looking into other places but the people of Williamstown and the Legion have always treated us so well," Merrow said.
Fact Box
If you go
What: Eighth annual Fur Ball benefit dance and silent auction for the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.
Where: American Legion Post 159, 100 Central Ave., Williamstown.
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Cost: $10 at the door or by calling (740) 516-3503 or 373-9503.
Details: Door prizes, music from Loose As It Gets, doors open at 7 p.m. for silent auction.
An anonymous donation of $30,000 was given during last year's event to go toward a new "green" facility. Also, last year's Broughton Ice Cream Social brought in about $20,900 for the shelter.
"I think Mr. Broughton told me it was one of the biggest he'd seen (as far as attendance)," said shelter manager Steve Herron.
"But with the way the economy is now, it costs us more like $26,000 a month to run the shelter," he said. "That includes gas, utilities and just basic operating costs."
This year the shelter has been able to acquire donations of concrete and labor to put in drainage and concrete runs, and Herron hopes to get a grant to go toward the cost of a new roof.
"I also took advantage of the AEP Ohio Grid Smart program, and we have been able to cut electricity costs that way," he said.
Volunteers begin working on preparations for the annual Fur Ball - one of the biggest single fundraisers for the group - around November.
"We have about 20 people working on getting raffle items, kitchen workers, people to clean up," said Merrow.
Popular local band Loose As It Gets will also be on hand to crank out the tunes.
"We just want people to come out, have a good time and, hopefully, leave with empty pockets," said Herron.
