2010 Animal Acres Gala is Rocking Success!
September 20, 2010
2010 Animal Acres Gala is Rocking Success!
Elayne Boosler meets Punky
Over 400 people joined with veggie rockers, celebrity hosts, and other special guests for the annual Animal Acres Gala held on September 11th. With Honorary Gala Chair Bill Maher, and dozens of Hollywood's friends of farm animals, the Gala raised needed funding for our rescue and education efforts and shined the spotlight on the need to protect, and love, farmed animals too.
The evening included rocking performances by Social Distortion, Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde's new band, JP, Chrissie, and the Fairground Boys, and Persia White, along with pianist Dave Palmer, and singer song/writer Josh Auer who gave a touching video performance of our rescue efforts.
The brilliant and hysterical comedian Elayne Boosler graciously served as our Gala Emcee, while bands performed and celebrity hosts presented awards to individuals making outstanding commitments to Animal Acres and our work to promote compassion for all. Celebrity Host presenters included James Cromwell, Jorja Fox, Shelley Morrison, and Charlotte Ross, and other celebrity hosts included Carol Leifer, Hal Sparks, 'Weird Al" Yankovic, Elaine Hendrix, and Debra Wilson, Tony Kanal and Erin Lokitz.
Check out the ANIMAL ACRES GALA VIDEO with performances and interviews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAZYZkkpiqE
The Gala was a resounding success - and thanks to Animal Acres board member Patty Shenker, Animal Acres members continue to have the opportunity to make a difference for our farmed animal friends. To celebrate 40 years of being a vegetarian (and now a vegan!) Patty offered a generous $40,000 Gala matching gift challenge - she will match, dollar for dollar, every contribution that is made for our annual Gala benefit - up to $40,000. To date, we have raised $26,238 --- your gala contribution today is urgently needed to help us meet this funding opportunity. Please click here to make a Gala matching gift donation (please note "Gala Pledge" in the comments section") - your donation will give us DOUBLE the financial resources we urgently need for feed, veterinary, and other shelter costs. Our Gala is our most important benefit of the year, and we need you now to rise to the challenge and keep our doors open for many more suffering farmed animals.
To all you who have pledged, attended, volunteered, and supported our Gala this year, our heartfelt thanks for your commitment to Animal Acres. Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts (and hooves!) and much love from ALL of us at Animal Acres.
In Appreciation,
Mike Ness - SOCIAL DISTORTION
"I love all animals. A cow or a pig or a chicken...these animals don't have a voice. They can't talk and say "I am suffering." "I don't see pigs or cows or these other animals as any different from a dog or a cat. I think they have just as much right to be on this earth as we do. That's why I don't eat them."
Chrissie Hynde - JP, CHRISSIE & THE FAIRGROUND BOYS
"I see the world in two categories: meat eaters and non-meat eaters. Meat eating is in the mode of darkness so it is characterized by ignorance...ignoring the source of what you are getting and where it came from in the first place." "As human beings we are here to protect the defenseless and to be guardians of our environment."
Tony Kanal - NO DOUBT
"I think there is a disconnect between what you are actually putting on your plate and where it came from and what this animal actually went through...a place like Animal Acres raises that awareness and it informs and educates people."
