By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Things went to the dogs Friday night at Dillinger’s Event Center as the Humane Society Serving Crawford County held their annual “Putting on the Dog” benefit.
In its eighth year the “Putting on the Dog” is the largest fundraiser for the Humane Society Serving Crawford County. Funds raised during the event go towards numerous uses at the shelter including keeping it operating.
Humane Agent Tami Rike explained that the Humane Society Serving Crawford County is ran entirely on donations.
“We are completely run on donations we do not get government funding, so we have to have fundraisers to keep our doors open. This year so far the turnout is great and we are really raising a lot of money for the shelter.”
Husband and wife Kyle and Audrey Nickles attended the event to support the Humane Society.
“We’ve got a dog and really believe what they are doing and it is a good cause so we came out and support it,” Kyle said.
Audrey shared that her grandpa had adopted a dog from the Humane Society.
“My grandpa got a dog a couple months ago from there and he is very happy with it and she is thirteen years old,” Audrey said. “She was an elderly person’s dog and he got her. She was perfect for him as she was already trained.”
Eric Sparks came out to the event as well donating a Keurig coffee machine to be raffled off. Sparks explained that he came out to support the Humane Society.
“I haven’t adopted an animal out there, I have wanted to, but I came out because I really want to support them,” Sparks said.
The evening began with the dinner of a pizza and wings buffet. The pizza was provided by Baker’s while the wings were made in house at Dillinger’s. After Dinner was served events and activities took center stage highlighted by the auction. Providing emcee duties were North Central Ohio Media Group’s Will Beard and Sweet Jane. Beard pulled double duty acting as auctioneer for the event as well.
The auction featured a multitude of items including a ticket pack that featured tickets to the Cleveland Zoo, African Safari, The Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory. The ticket pack received the highest bid of the night at $525. Bringing in the second most for the Humane Society Serving Crawford County was a behind the scenes tour of the Columbus Zoo which drew loud applause as bidding crept up to $510.
Midway through the auction Humane Society Serving Crawford County Director Victoria Carmean announced that Crossroads and the Humane Society teamed up to sell a 26 ounce candle. Carmean explained what the proceeds go towards.
“For every candle sold the Humane Society Serving Crawford County will receive $13,” Carmean said. “The money will then go towards special needs, and senior animals at the shelter.”
The candle, which made its debut Friday, can be purchased by going to www.crawfordhumane.com.
The auction and dinner were just a few money making opportunities for the Humane Society Friday night as 50/50 drawings and raffles were also held throughout the evening.
Closing out the night local act The Cellar Dwellers made their return to the stage.