Comedians will bring the laughs to support shelter animals waiting for their forever home.
The seventh annual Raise the Woof fundraiser, in support of the Central Alberta Humane Society, is this Friday at the Cambridge Hotel and Event Centre in Red Deer.
The event began as an evening out enjoyed by 130 people and has grown into a gala attended by 500-plus people that typically raises about $35,000.
This is the Central Alberta Humane Society’s second-biggest fundraiser of the year, next to its annual garage sale, which raises about $85,000 a year.
“Without these fundraisers, we wouldn’t be able to operate,” said Melissa Devlin, the society’s fund development co-ordinator.
“We rely on these fundraisers we hold to meet our budget and to raise money for the shelter animals. We are not government funded, and 90 per cent of our income comes from event fundraising, donations, self-generated revenue, adoptions and things like that.”
Devlin said she’s excited to see this year’s group of comedians perform.
“Whoever is performing is always a blast. They make us almost cry from laughing so hard. It’s going to be a great night.
“We haven’t seen these comedians before – we have new ones every year – so we’re really looking forward to it. We’ve been impressed by all the other ones,” said Devlin.
This is the biggest Raise the Woof fundraiser yet, with 567 people registered to attend, which is about 50 more than 2018.
“Every year, it’s growing. Every year, we’re seeing more attendees, which is awesome. It’s good to know people are coming back to the event and it’s good to know people are enjoying it,” Devlin said.
The event will feature a three-course meal, raffles and a silent auction. There will also be a DJ and dancing following the show.
Registration is no longer being accepted for the gala.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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