Friday fundraiser benefits Prairie Paws

Everyone who buys a ticket to the PAW-Sta PAW-Looza Fundraiser, will get a spaghetti dinner, either a bottle of Prairie Paws Rescue’s special label wine or an alternate gift, and chances to win door prizes, raffles and silent auction items.

More than 200 items have been given to Prairie Paws for its fundraising dinner, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Bunker.

“This is our major fundraiser,” said Kaye John, co-founder of Prairie Paws, as she worked with a group of volunteers Sunday to get ready for the event.

Prairie Paws is a charitable volunteer-based organization that rescues pets from bad situations and helps them find permanent families, while fostering them in homes. Prairie Paws also coordinates with other rescue operations around the region.

Silent auction items at the PAW-sta PAW-looza include Minnesota Twins tickets, an autographed Dwight Yoakam guitar, concert tickets for Chicago, Kid Rock and Bob Seger, as well as Easter baskets for children, airline ticket vouchers, pet merchandise and weekend resort passes.

People who really want an item will have a “buy it now” option, John said.

At least five separate raffles will also be at the event, featuring a dinner theater getaway, a casino getaway and overnight trip packages to Fargo and Bismarck.

Tickets for the event are $15 for one person, $25 for a couple and $40 for a family. Prior to the event, tickets will be available at Country Acres Veterinary Clinic, Southwood Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Dawn’s Pet Stop. If any of the 100 tickets for the event are still available they will be sold at the door on Friday.

Each ticket for an adult includes a bottle of wine, which will be sent home with the dinner-goers. Tickets for people who aren’t yet drinking age will come with an alternative complimentary gift, such as a T-shirt or a Prairie Paws mug.

No alcohol will be served at the event and no pets are permitted.

The last time Prairie Paws had a dinner fundraiser was in 2008 or 2009, John said, and it raised about $5,000 for the rescue organization.

This time, all the food for the event was donated — pasta from Dakota Growers, sauces (including one that is meat-free) and salad from Walmart, garlic toast from Dakota Bake and Serve and ice cream and toppings from Coborn’s.

“We don’t get any of the city mill levy funds,” John said. “We rely strictly on donations.”

Prairie Paws spent about $30,000 on veterinary bills alone in the past year, said Linda Gray, the organization’s secretary.

That’s not counting any of the costs for transportation of animals or food and supplies for fostered animals, nor the storage unit that holds many of the Prairie Paws supplies.

Those who can’t donate or attend the dinner on Friday can still help Prairie Paws by fostering a dog or a cat. Volunteers are also needed to help out at Prairie Paws events, or even simply to drive animals to and from veterinary appointments.

Volunteers are still wanted for Friday’s PAW-sta PAW-looza, and for the upcoming “Breakfast with the Bunny,” another Prairie Paws fundraiser event.

From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. the Easter Bunny will be hosting a breakfast with pancakes and sausage at Applebee’s in Jamestown for a $6 donation to Prairie Paws.

For more information about Prairie Paws or to volunteer, visit prairiepawsrescue.com or call 320-4553.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be

reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at

klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: news, benefit, pets