Dogs and people alike were smiling on the evening of June 21st because with the help of View Co-host and Headline News show Host Joy Behar and some muscle bound rescuers from Rescue INK we raised over $25,000-of which every penny will go to saving New York animals in need.
Joy Behar raised a glass to the animals and to the good works of FOAR and then the party officially began. Captain Fred Ardolino and his main skipper Jason announced at around 730 that the ship was about to set sail. But wait?? Why wasn’t it leaving port? I mean we danced, we drank wine, we admired Roberto Dutesco’s horse photograph, we ate Swifty’s appetizers-(of course this all by 7:31) and the boat hadn’t moved? What was up? We went to the top deck and looked out- and there was Second Chance Rescue President Jen Brooks tearing through the parking lot after having made sure her pitties including plump girl FANNY-all had a ride home. Captain Fred held the boat up –rightly so-to give Brooks a chance to leap aboard and she did!
Earlier that evening-while guests frolicked with Doug Halsey and Jen Brooks foster dogs on solid ground- a gal came flying down the boatramp on a bike-slammed on the brakes and said “Oh great! I made it” –it was none other than Eva Prokop-one of the world’s greatest cat rescuers-Eva rides her bike to the ACC shelters daily to take pictures and write bios of hundreds of cats who would otherwise be forgotten. Daily she sends the list out to rescuers. As if that weren’t enough-Eva then often straps the cats in their crates to the back of her bike and whisks them into foster homes. She is truly one of our favorite rescuers and people.
While we speak of rescuers-we must say we were tickled pink that after Joy Behar spoke-rescuer and good looking guy-Doug Halsey spoke to the crowd and said “Without Friends of Animal Rescue NY rescuers really can’t make it. How can we –as we are all volunteers-rescue so many homeless animals and figure out how to pay all these vet and food bills at the same time? Thank goodness for FOAR!”
If you were wondering who the two rockin supermodels were selling raffle tickets aboard the Atlantis that night-for prizes including-4 vip tickets to Jimmy Fallon and food from Raos-well it was our annual raffle gals-Lynn Spencer and Lisa Alexander. Yes they are pretty actresses (which they both do as their real jobs). But they are also both cat rescuers who deep into the night are known to be in dangerous neighborhoods with tuna fish and traps-no kidding.
“NOOOOO!” yelled guest Jay Marshall-“Don’t tell me someone else got the 8 weeks of pole dancing!” Yes, Jay I hate to say it but Jackie Ferrer got them. If the lessons pay off-let’s hope she earns lots of cash with her new skills and donates it to FOAR. Other great silent auction items included a private dinner with Larry King won by a fabulous guest named Elena Chambous. Wish we could be flies on the wall at Swiftys while they talk about Larry’s love of all animals.
Mike and Jess Bernstein will be going with two friends (what about us Jess?) to sit in prime seats when U2 play at the Meadowlands. Little do the other fans rocking out know that animals are being saved as they dance.
Carlos Martinez is always one of our favorite guests-first of all because of his smooth dance moves and 2nd because he is always so generous with his silent auction bids-He and his wife left with tickets for a private taping with O’Reilly and dinner for four at AJ Maxwells AND a weekend at Lorraine Sakli’s -oh so posh -North Fork vacation home.
Favorite photographer of NYC-Roberto Dutesco donated a stunning photograph entitled Leaf- AND he and his wife attended the cruise. Everyone was excited to see this famous couple. Dutesco kindly donated a photograph last year too. As if that weren’t enough –he lent FOAR his studio for a benefit last year-and we’ll say it here in writing-Roberto- LETS DO IT AGAIN!! By the way –his photograph went to Dale and Renee Schlater. Dale and Renee are always our favorite and most loyal guests-they always come to FOAR events and you can count on Renee to stun the crowd with her beauty and her list of laminated pictures of dogs who need homes.
And another favorite Renee-Renee Ryan our newest FOAR member busted her butt setting up the silent auction signs and frames even though she had been in India up until 24 hours before the whole boat benefit. Renee we are sorry about the jet lag-but love all you have done for FOAR!
Big Mike, Cliff and Jen from Rescue Ink who looked strong enough to not only attack animal abusers but also lift the Atlantis Yacht with one hand each-did a great job of calling out the raffle at the end of the night. Thanks to those three for not only looking good but saving lives bravely and standing up for those who are defenseless.
Dessert was served at the end of the night by none other than fashion designer to pets everywhere, Chihuahua rescuer and amazing dogcake baker (cake boss-stand back baby!) Ada Nieves. AND GUESS WHAT?! She politely and quietly sat at the cake table w/ her friend the whole night not bragging at all about anything-and the NEXT NIGHT she was featured on the David Letterman show with pet rats and the special fashions she designs for them! Can YOU STAND IT?!
Here’s the thing about the animal rescue community. They are loving, huge hearted, kind people who are what make our world great. They are out there-behind the scenes trapping feral cats, walking foster dogs at 2am, and all for the love of animals…because without these rescuers-where would the homeless animals be? We are committed and will never turn our backs on those who need us most.
Remember it’s the job of the powerful to help the powerless.
That’s why FOAR is here…and that’s why we say a huge thank you to our donors, our guests and our heroes….the rescuers.
Paws in the air for all of you who care enough to make a difference and make a world where one day there will be no more homeless pets.
click here for pictures from the event!
