Gala to support Assisi shelter

The Assisi Animal Foundation's celebration of 25 years of saving animals and serving the community is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1. The AAF celebrates with a dinner dance and silent auction at the Crystal Lake Country Club on Saturday, Nov. 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, cash bar, mixing and meeting old and new friends while viewing exciting auction offerings for the evening. Senator Pamela Althoff will be the AAF's special guest to welcome attendees and note a special date for the organization that built the area's first no-kill animal shelter.

Auction items will be exceptional, offering such treasures as a safari for two to Kenya, E. Africa, a bed and breakfast stay in a lovely private home in Normandy, France, a week of scenic pleasure in a condo in Snowbird Utah, a two night Presidential Suite stay at Chicago's legendary Belden Stratford Hotel, a two night Presidential Suite stay at Chicago's Gold coast hotel, the Seneca, a special treasure from Tiffany's, and tickets for Lyric Opera's Holiday performance. Along with all this, are auction offerings for dining, entertainment, sports, personal care, the holiday boutique and more.

All proceeds go directly toward operating the AAF's no-kill animal shelter. Besides having saved thousands of animals, and placing them in new homes, the Assisi Animal Foundation introduced service programs to area citizens. Among these, are the very well received Animal Assisted Therapy Program, which takes selected animal residents to visit residents of area assisted living, memory, and retirement centers. These visits began in 1987. The AAF also introduced education programs for young people and now features a dog bite prevention program to classrooms.

Tickets for the evening are $60, but will not be available at the door. Reservations are required by Oct. 25, or until sell out. For information and reservations, call the AAF at (815) 455-9411.