As a Board member of ARC, there are many opportunities to participate in various events and fund raisers for this special organization. ARC has always been very near and dear to my heart. I approached them in 2000 when I was first starting my company to see if they would like me to build them a website. They happily obliged and the current http://www.animalrefugecenter.com was born. Over the course of the last 10 years, I have seen many significant changes to ARC but the Starlight Auction has become a very clear definition of what it means to grow as an organization.  This event makes it crystal clear how well ARC has done for itself and the little furry friends about whom it cares so deeply.

In the early 2000’s as a thank you for the website, my husband and I were invited to their auction. It was still at Sanibel Harbour, but I remember how the silent auction items were lined up along the sides of the walls outside the event room. Once inside, there was about a 1/4 of a ballroom being utilized and probably about 75 people in attendance.  This year’s auction brought in approximately 240 people and over 300 auction items! Considered the best ever, ARC’s Starlight Auction is quickly becoming one of the most successful charity fundraisers in Southwest Florida; no small feat in a clearly suffering economy. We may be small but we are mighty!

There is no better place to hold a venue than Sanibel Harbour. There is something magical and heartwarming about the place (which is why I chose it for my wedding). It has true southern tropic charm. The resort is the perfect backdrop to ARC’s Starlight Auction- an evening of socializing, dining and fun. It now takes up an ENTIRE ballroom with the dining and live auction on one side and the silent auction on the other. 

There are over 300 items in the silent auction- everything from gift baskets with Starbucks coffee items, fishing trips, hotel stays, TVs, electronics and more to fine jewelry and gorgeous works of art donated by only the best local artists.  Since the auction is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, its a great way to kick off the holiday season and do a little shopping for yourself!

The live auction is always packed full with fantastic items and is filled with anticipation and excitement. This year we auctioned off fine jewelry donate by The Cedar Chest, home deco items from Robb and Stucky, and fine artwork by famous artists Nancy Colby, Wellington Ward and Daryl Pottorf.  There are even safari trips to Africa available!  If you’ve never been to a live auction, you MUST attend this auction to see for yourself. The auctioneer is superb- encouraging the bids with passion and professionalism. You can feel the tension and excitement in the air as he calls off each item and starts the bidding. The best feeling, however, is when the final bid is called and you know its all going to a great cause.

The main part of the program is as heartwarming as it is special. The President of ARC, Lee Allor, always does a great job expressing what ARC is all about; how we save helpless and homeless animals and provide for them when no one else can.  At ARC, each animal is guaranteed a “forever home” in the event that no one adopts them. As a no-kill shelter we are dedicated and committed to this cause. However, caring for several hundred animals in this way is challenging and costly. Without the financial support of its donors, ARC and the many animals we currently care for would not survive. Though the auction is a fun, upbeat event, it is always important to spread the message of our cause and show how important it is that our donor base continue to grow and help us. The animals of ARC know no recession; they need help and they rely on us to give it to them.

Behind the scenes, the auction is a flurry of anticipation among all of  ARC’s volunteers.  Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Second only to the funding that pays our bills, the volunteers add the special magic that makes ARC such a successful organization. They work tirelessly for months preparing for this event. Once it arrives, they are there days ahead of time decorating, setting up…preparing for ARC’s biggest fund raiser of the year.  They come early and stay late-  and never ask for or expect anything. Their time is valuable and they donate it through their passion and kindness. Then it’s show time. Our volunteers work hard to make everything run smoothly and without incident. They sacrifice a holiday weekend away from friends and family to help our important cause. They work tirelessly all night to service our guests; ensuring they have the best night possible. To them we are forever grateful.

There there are the Board members. I can tell you first hand that they don’t like recognition. They leave their names off things as much as possible and try as hard as they can not to take credit. I have only been on the Board for one year so I am hardly one to lay claim to anything great that ARC has done to this point.  The auction relys on them in so many ways; securing sponsorships, putting silent and live auctions together, steering the auction committee, working with Sanibel Harbour’s banquet and catering committees, putting on the auction presentation and working backstage.   They do this in concert with staff and volunteers. ARC is lucky to have members on our board that have dedicated their lives to ARC. The truth is, that though I can appreciate the fact that these kind people don’t want to be recognized, no great organization can become great without leadership and teamwork.  It is through their compassion and commitment to the animals- a true love of all creatures great and small that fuels their drive to keep going even when there seems that there is little hope.  They each work with our fantastic staff at ARC to love and care for animals with challenges like FIV.  They nurse beaten and abused animals back to health and they foster animals when there is just “no room at the Inn.”  They do all of this and never receive any kind of paycheck. It is truly remarkable and has restored my faith in the human condition.

Ultimately the auction is a symphony of  kind and generous people coming together for a common cause. There are many charities out there with much larger voices and pocketbooks than ARC. There are diseases, disasters and destruction that emplore us to help. But it is the voiceless; those that cannot speak or care for themselves who rely on human beings for their survival that are at the forefront of this great event.  There will always be a dog that has been abandoned or a kitten who has been abused. There will always be a cat who is just not “cute” enough to be adopted or a dog that can’t seem to get along with others. Where do they go? Who do they turn to?  It is uncertain whether these animals will ever truly understand what ARC is and does for them, but I will continue to have faith that they sleep better at night when they have food in their stomachs, medicines to alleviate their aches, and a fluffy, dry bed with someone to greet them in the morning.

Please consider attending ARC’s Annual Starlight Auction next year! It is a fantastic event that will not only leave you smiling, it will fill your heart with joy knowing that you have helped a great cause.  For information and to be notified of the event next year, please become a fan of ARC on Facebook by visiting our website, http://www.AnimalRefugeCenter.com and clicking ‘Become a Fan’ at the bottom of the page. Spread the word. Save a life!