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| Hope for the Holidays Gala 2004 | ||||
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| View
footage of the Gala shot by Internet
Television Station-Dream Masters Studios ITS-DMS. You will need RealPlayer
to view the video. Party animals, including many four-legged friends, packed Stray Rescue's 7th annual Hope for the Holidays Gala December 3 at Mad Art Gallery in historic Soulard. More than 250 people participated in the festivities. Actress and animal rights advocate Linda Blair, who served as the honorary chair, brought the packed house to tears during a special airing of her WorldHeart Foundation DVD, which told the story of what her foundation, Stray Rescue and other organizations around the world do every day - find deserving doggies a place to call home and encourage responsible pet guardianship. Mayor Francis Slay read a special proclamation that declared December 3 as Guardian Day in St. Louis to increase public awareness of the campaign to recognize pets as companions, not property. He and Rich Stevson of the St. Louis City Animal Regulation Center were recognized for their efforts to eliminate use of the gas chamber at the ARC. It was good to see old friends, like Brownie (AKA Van Gogh), Archie, Eddie, Petunia and other Stray Rescue "alumni" who now are enjoying the good life in their forever homes. Milligan Stew provided musical entertainment while guests dined on cuisine provided by 22 of St. Louis' leading restaurants and from the kitchens of our very own volunteers. The cornucopia of silent auction goodies filled more than eight tables. The members of the gala committee would like to thank this year's sponsors: Carol House Furniture, Dr. Ed Migneco of Hillside Animal Hospital, Nestle Purina, Dick and Mina Overton, and Tom and Sandra Sears of Riverbend Capital Group Inc. Thanks also to Brother Jim, who blessed the dogs, and to Ron and Tracy at Mad Art. And last, but certainly not least, a huge thanks to the best volunteers on earth, including our favorite Girl Scouts in Florrie Kohn's Troop 2306. Your efforts, talents and generosity made this the most profitable gala ever - and that's good news not only for our shelter friends, but also the many dogs whose lives on the streets will end in the near future. Below are photos of the event, taken by Donna Lochmann. |
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 Mayor Francis Slay, second from left, presented a proclamation
to Stray Rescue's Randy Grim, left, that declared Dec. 3 as Guardian
Day in St. Louis. Also participating in the presentation were honorary
chair Linda Blair and Rich Stevson, right, of the St. Louis Animal Regulation
Center. |
 Honorary chair Linda Blair spends a little time with
members of Girl Scout Troop 2306, who have volunteered at the last two
Hope for the Holidays galas. |
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 Giblet gobbles up her Three Dog Bakery treats. |
 Archie enjoys the festivities with his new Mom. |
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Brownie, AKA Van Gogh, mugs for the camera. |
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