PAWS dinner/auction planned Saturday evening

Items from local artists, crafters, businesses, friends and supporters are arriving daily and will all be offered for bids Saturday evening, Nov. 12, at the 18th Annual Auction For Animals.  

The event is presented by Pets Are Worth Saving Inc., PAWS, a local animal welfare organization. 

The auction is being held at the Great Boars Lodge on Kratzinger Hollow Road  near Anna, with the doors opening at 5 p.m.

Dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is catered by the Great Boars of Fire.

During the evening, silent auction bidding tables will be open,  and a bucket raffle, door prizes and new sweatshirts and other merchandise will be for sale.

A live auction begins at 7:45 p.m., and once again will be conducted by local “celebrity” auctioneers.

Admission for the evening, including dinner, is $30 for adults, and $12 for children 12 and under. 

For more information or to donate an item for the event, stop by PAWS Place or call 618-833-DOGS (3647).

There are paintings, drawings, prints and other works of art by many local artists, including the late Helen DeGraff and Paulette Aronson.

There will be a Stihl chainsaw donated by Ideal Lawn & Tractor of Marion, a handmade free standing walnut wine rack, a set of handmade wood bunk beds, a “pamper yourself package” from Egyptian Revival Spa, one hour massages from Hepp Chiropractic and Total Health Chiropractic on the auction block.

Meller, James & Associates, along with many other vets throughout Southern Illinois, have donated spays and neuters, and premium dog and cat foods.

A Christmas Harry & David gift basket of assorted goodies will be raffled.

PAWS will have a lady's 14 karat yellow gold ring with marquise cut diamond, a gourmet dinner for four catered to your home, bottles of wine compliments of the local vineyards,  and antiques and collectibles, including Cherished Teddies from various supporters.

There’s jewelry from Linda Bollenbach-Davis and Lou Ann Elwell, Brian Beverly of the Makanda Trading Company, and an always popular favorite from the Rainmaker.

Items arrive daily as the date of the benefit approaches.

Anna State Bank has given a $100 savings bond while A-J National Bank has donated $250 along with several items for the silent auction. 

Handmade afghans from Mercedes Mull and Mary Anna Weakley, and many, many more items will be available to bid on.

All donations and efforts go toward supporting PAWS’ rescue and humane work, particularly the operation of its no-kill facility, PAWS Place Adoption Center, located at 139 E. Vienna St., in Anna.

Over 4,000 homeless, abandoned, and unwanted animals have been placed in new homes since PAWS opened the facility in 2001. 

Donations and support make the difference in the lives of many animals who rely on people for a second chance at a life of love that they so deserve, PAWS noted.