Adorable pups hoping to find a new home greeted roughly 150 ladies last Saturday evening at the We Are Fabulous Wine Women and Shoes fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, held at the Bent Pine Golf and Country Club.
WW&S is a trademarked event, teaming nonprofit organizations with vintners and upscale vendors for an evening of fundraising designed as a ladies’ night out. Attendees could browse an enticing array of high-fashion accessories and a variety of items specifically selected for discriminating female shoppers while enjoying some high-energy music.
It’s designed as a way for women to shop, bid on raffle prizes and enjoy each other’s company without the distraction of men, other than the elegantly tuxedoed Shoe Guys. The suave Shoe Guys passed through the room carrying silver trays filled with enticing bid items and glasses of fine wine.
“This event is a wonderful combination of introducing the animals to women of a younger demographic, seeing what’s going on at the Humane Society and letting them know that we need their help to keep the shelter going,” said event chair Jennifer Downes, who hoped the event would match last year’s effort by raising at least $30,000.
After shopping, the stylishly fashion-forward women were ushered into dinner, where they enjoyed a runway fashion show featuring svelte gentlemen, meticulously styled by the Makeover Room, modeling Seahorse Lane Boutique’s Fall Collection and footwear from Kemp’s Shoe Salon.
A Key to Your Closet $5,000 package of fine wines, jewelry, spa treatments and other goodies topped the list of desirable raffle items, with real estate maven Cindy O’Dare capturing the big prize.
“I love the fact that there are younger people here,” said Gerri Smith, who attended with a group of friends. “There is such energy and enthusiasm, plus you get to see the dogs here with a whole mix of people. None of our group has been to an event like this before and we are just so impressed with the elegance. Plus, we just love the dogs.”
It was easy to fall in love with the little puppies carried about by HSVB staff, and within the first half-hour Charo Segura adopted a cute little Chihuahua named Tom.
“I just had my husband pick the dog up and take him home; he was shocked,” said Segura. “I put him in my arms for a second and he was just shaking and started kissing me all over my face. Once he did that I could not let him go.”
“We are hoping to raise money tonight for people who need assistance with their animals,” said Chalmers Morse, CEO of the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. “Whether it is for medical issues or they need some financial assistance to help feed or take care of their pets. Our goal is always to keep animals with their owners in any way we are able to do so.”