It’s a safe to call any Ohio event in February a “Snow Melter” and expect enthusiastic response, but the response to Geauga’s Rescue Village fundraiser was overwhelming.
A quick drive through the parking lot showed this was a group of animal lovers. Ohio pet license plates, pet-related bumper stickers, stick figure decals with lots of pets in the family, doggie gates in SUVs and station wagons were all just part of the ambience.
Once inside, the presenting sponsor, Black Lab Corporation, really heated things up. The George Foley trio preformed while guests noshed and previewed items for the auction.
Hope Burstein, Rescue Village executive director, spoke about the lifesaving value of a barn. A current resident of the barn, Sidney, a pregnant goat, was rescued along with seven other animals earlier in the year. Despite her neglect, she delivered a kid, the first birth in the barn.
The audience participated in voting on the kid’s name. Entries included; Faith, Billy, Petunia, Ilsa (of “Here’s looking at you kid”), Kid Rock and Lady BaBa. Lady BaBa won by a good margin, although she did not attend “in person” to voice her approval.
Michael Heaton presented fireside storytelling while Juile Rowen, a newly retired therapy dog, kept an eye on everyone, including the two black wiggly puppies who were doing their share of melting hearts.
The live and silent auctions raised money for the shelter, which is a privately funded nonprofit organization. High bids went for Anderson Varejao #17 Cavaliers jersey and photo, a Napa Valley experience in your home, and a chance for a child to “Live the Dream” and become executive director of Rescue Village for a day.
This event raised money, but also raised hopes and gave animals another chance in life.
For more information, to donate to Lady BaBa, or see upcoming events go to
http://www.geaugahumane.org/index.html