Heartland Animal Shelter hosts Hearts Aglow Open House

Heartland Animal Shelter will host its first Hearts Aglow Open House from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.

The 20-year-old Heartland shelter opened a new facility in Wheeling in 2021. During the open house, families will have a chance to visit the shelter and meet the adoptable dogs and cats.

The event will include photos with Santa and the animals, crafting, holiday carols, a shelter scavenger hunt, kennel tours, gifts for the pets, snacks and drinks, raffle, and silent auction.

At 5:30 p.m., guests will gather outside by candlelight for a lighting ceremony in honor or memory of a special person or animal. A choir from Stevenson High School will perform holiday favorites, and WGN Radio's Steve Dale will read the Rainbow Bridge Poem. The finale will be the lighting of thousands of lights that will shine brightly on the shelter in honor and memory of our special friends.

Lights can be purchased before or at the event. The names of all those honored and remembered with lights will be added to the shelter website and newsletter.

Learn more at heartlandanimalshelter.org.

Heartland is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization. As a no-kill shelter, its mission is to serve the community by rescuing, rehabilitating, treating, and finding secure, loving homes for dogs and cats.

Heartland does not receive any government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals, companies, and foundations.

Follow Heartland on Facebook or visit heartlandanimalshelter.org.