WAG Newsletter | October 2024
Oh, What a Night!
We're still soaring after an exceptional night at our annual Unleash Your Heart Gala and Auction! Gala has always had a reputation as the social event of the year - but it's not just a party, it's our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Nearly 700 friends of the animals joined us, setting a new record. And thanks to our generous hosts at ilani, we were able to make the event and the experience bigger and better than ever! The evening started with a spirited social hour as guests mingled, bid on items in our Virtual Silent Auction and our in-person Fine Wine & Spirits Auction.
During dinner, we shared touching stories of impact and celebrated the many ways animals make our lives richer, better, and more complete. We provided updates on our Mobile Veterinary Clinic and the impact it has on the pets and people of Southwest Washington. And we announced a very special new initiative: the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, opening Summer of 2025. Thanks to the generosity of Patricia and David Nierenberg and many other donors who supported this project, our vision for a community veterinary clinic, providing subsidized veterinary care to income qualifying families, will soon be a reality.
Throughout the evening, our community’s love and generosity were on display with spirited bidding, good cheer, and generous paddle raises. The evening was topped off with a surprise gift that was as heartfelt as it was extraordinary. The surprise $500,000 gift was presented by HSSW board member Jason Fish on behalf of Linn Dee Stein in memory of her beloved husband, Craig and their dear dog, Babe. We are honored and grateful to be the recipient of this gift, which will allow us to touch more lives and reach more pets in need.
It was truly humbling to be surrounded by so many people who care deeply for the pets and people of Southwest Washington. The success of Gala is possible thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors, and the many donors and guests who joined us to unleash their hearts for the animals. Together, they made Gala a thrilling success and and ensured a brighter future for pets in our community.
Our Presenting Sponsors
Columbia River Veterinary Specialists
Longtime friends of HSSW, Columbia River Veterinary Specialists are dedicated partners in our work. Offering specialized and emergency care to pets in the Vancouver and Portland metro areas, CRVS has made it their mission to provide pets with state-of-the-art medical care and service. But their support isn't limited to pets in our community, CRVS provides year-round emergency and specialized support for the animals of HSSW. Thanks to this partnership, we know that skilled emergency care is available to the animals of HSSW in their time of need.
Cowlitz Indian Tribe
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is committed to building mutually supportive and long-lasting relationships with the organizations, communities, and people supporting the vast philanthropic and charitable activities within the State of Washington. Through intentional and careful planning and economic development, the Tribe plays a key role in the economy of the Pacific Northwest. HSSW is a proud partner with the Tribe and deeply grateful for their generous support.
ilani
Our friends at ilani are generous hosts who truly go the extra mile to make Gala such a special evening. And their support extends well beyond Gala - they also host our Mobile Veterinary Clinic, helping us meet pets and people where they are and expand access to low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services. The partnership between ilani and HSSW is one that benefits the animals of Southwest Washington today and well into the future. And we're just one of the many organizations fortunate to be the recipient of their generous support.
Gala Photos
If you joined us and want to relive all the Gala fun - of if you couldn't be there and want to see what you missed - check out photos from the night at the links below.
Deck Your Halls with ReTails
The ReTails elves (staff and volunteers, of course) have been busy all season sorting, pricing, and prepping donated new and gently-used holiday items. The ReTails Holiday Store opens November 2, and with just a few weeks to go, the back of the store has been officially cordoned off as we roll out box after box of holiday items just waiting to find a new home this holiday. This year, we have a mountain of holiday items waiting for eager thrifters. We've filled a 40-foot storage container, a truck trailer, and all available rack space in the store... more than 60 pallets of holiday items are ready to find new homes.
And if you're as excited as we are, you can get your ticket to our Member's Night and shop before we open to the public. (More on that later...)
This is a special year for the Holiday Store: it's tenth anniversary! In 2014, shortly after moving into our current location, the first Holiday Store opened as a pop-up in an empty storefront two doors down from our location. The effort was led by volunteers who sorted, cleaned, priced, and displayed a seemingly endless supply of holiday items. Over many weeks, its busy sales and lines out the door made it clear: the holiday store would become a ReTails tradition.
Over the years, the Holiday Store has grown not just in popularity, but also in footprint. Its boundaries continue to grow to include holiday merchandise in our dinnerware and kitchen departments, linens and pillows, and a veritable forest of gently-used Christmas trees. Prepping for the Holiday Store has become a year-round labor of love for our team - every day our staff and volunteers spend time pricing, organizing, and sorting items to get ready for the holiday store.
And make sure to keep ReTails in mind for your gift-shopping needs this season. You'll find shelf after shelf of new items perfect for stuffing a stocking or piling up under the tree. From collector's items and toys to great household items and special gifts - you'll find something special at ReTails.
Of course, the true magic of the Holiday Store isn't in the glittering decorations, vintage baubles, or holiday greenery... it's that every purchase helps pets in our community find shelter from abuse and neglect, lifesaving medical care, a second chance for a happy home, and much more.
Holiday Store Members Night
Join us for our Members Night Friday, November 1 and you can shop the Holiday Store the day before it opens to the public. This event is perfect for holiday enthusiasts who just can't wait to get a jump on decking their halls. You'll enjoy three hours of special shopping access to the store and get merry with us as we kick off another holiday season!
Tickets are $20 and we only have room for 200. Don't miss the kickoff of the holiday season at ReTails!
Members Night - Holiday Shopping Event
Friday, November 1 | 5:00 - 8:00
The ReTails Holiday Store will be open daily beginning November 2 through the holiday season. And don't just think of us as your holiday shopping destination, we're also grateful for your donations of holiday items. As always, every purchase and donation supports the pets at HSSW. And if the holidays aren't your thing, don't worry! You can always find our usual incredible selection of non-holiday items waiting for you. Find ReTails location, hours, and more - click here.