Photographs courtesy of Denise Herrick Borchert and Susan Weingartner
The Animal Acres 2008 Gala - A Night to Remember
Where do celebrities gather with cows, chickens, and pigs? The Animal Acres Gala, of course! Animal Acres hosted its star-studded Gala on September 6th at our sanctuary, and it was without a doubt, one of the most unique gatherings ever held for farmed animals.
Gala Celebrity Hosts Ed Begley, Jr., James Cromwell, Emily Deschanel, Jorja Fox, Carol Leifer, Charlotte Ross, Alicia Silverstone, Debra Skelton, John Schneider, Mariana Tosca, Persia White, and Marc Vann welcomed guests and presented awards, and dozens of other Hollywood supporters lent their names to make the Animal Acres Gala a huge success.
The festivities began at 5:00 pm with "dressed to impress" guests in meeting and mingling with celebrity hosts, award recipients, and the sanctuary's "guests of honor" - rescued cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, sheep and goats -- during our "cowtail party" sponsored by Follow Your Heart. Guests then gathered in the sanctuary rose garden to enjoy a gourmet dinner presented by Madeleine Bistro, and the dining continued with vegan dessert delights, including a soy icecream sundae bar and specialty drinks, thanks to over twenty generous food and beverage sponsors.
Our "Stars for Farm Animals" award program honored individuals and corporations who have made outstanding contributions through their commitment to the cause of protecting farmed animals and promoting compassionate living choices. In honor of Animal Acres supporter and 2008 Gala Chair Daryl Hannah, all of the awards were trees, which are planted at our sanctuary to provide shade for the sanctuary animals.
Comedian Carol Leifer emceed the exciting evening of awards, videos, and special presentations. Award recipients included Jerry Cesak, DJ of the top-rated "Jeff & Jer" morning show in San Diego, Rory Freedman, Author of Skinny Bitch and other books, Actress and 2007 Gala Chair Jorja Fox, and Ariel Clark and Andrew Gardner, 15 year old sophomore students who received our Rescue & Refuge Award for refusing to participate in the slaughter of animals for school 4-H and FAA programs.
The Gala opened the hearts and minds of millions of people, with national coverage on Access Hollywood's "Green Hollywood" segment, where our celebrity hosts discussed the benefits of a vegan diet for the environment. The Gala was also reported in our area newspapers, Veg News magazine, Pet Press, and Pet Talk with Harrison Forbes.
Animal Acres hosts its annual Gala to shine the spotlight on farmed animal protection issues, and raise needed funding for our rescue, education, and advocacy efforts. This year, the Gala surpassed our expectations by raising $150,000 for emergency rescue efforts, thanks to our Special Guest of Honor Patty Shenker, who offered a $50,000 matching gift challenge at the Gala to help build the new Animal Acres RESCUE CENTER. We, and suffering farmed animals everywhere, are grateful to everyone who pledged and participated in this year's Gala - thank YOU for being a shining star for farmed animals!
Gala Emcee
- Comedian Carol Leifer
- Daryl Hannah
- Casey Affleck
- Ed Begley, Jr.
- Thora Birch
- James Cromwell
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Tanna Frederick
- Mike Farrell
- Kate Flannery
- Jorja Fox
- Dominic Scott Kay
- Daniela Sea
- Bill Maher
- Constance Marie
- Shelley Morrison
- Kevin Nealon
- Charlotte Ross
- Sage Ryan
- Alicia Silverstone
- Debra Skelton
- Ione Skye
- Mariana Tosca
- Marc Vann
- Jane Velez-Mitchell
- Persia White
- Noah & Tracy Wyle
- Patty Shenker
Planning Committee
- Cathy Petrosky, Chair
- Alison Cole
- Heather Kennedy
- Richard LaDez
- Danny Levy - DPL Design
- Erin Pfeifer
- Heather Swan
- Dawn Swoger
- Ronnie Steinau
"After I hosted an event at Animal Acres and was educated about the horrors of factory farming, I decided to become vegan. I couldn't be healthier or happier!" - Carol Leifer