Animal lovers enjoyed a celestial evening at SunJet Aviation last Thursday evening during the annual Wine Women and Shoes fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. Dr. Alan Durkin of Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery was the presenting sponsor.
An impressive galaxy of entertainment, with projections of the night sky, shimmering stars, planets, space rocks and celestial bodies orbiting in space – and AntiGravity performers executing silk acrobatics above the crowd – was produced by Michael Naffziger, owner of East Coast Encore and director of the Indian River Charter High School Theater Department.
Guests milled about while nibbling on a vast assortment of tapas-style hors d’oeuvres and sampling a variety of wines. Others wandered over to where Sgt. Milo Thornton and Jim Petersen served ice cold beverages off a frosty, high-heel shoe, carved from ice.
Between sips and samples, guests ‘walked on the moon,’ used cellphones to bid on silent-auction items, participated in a jewelry pull, and purchased chances for drawings for a Key to the Dog House, a Key to the Closet and other raffles.
Over dessert, the sold-out crowd of more than 600 animal allies were later treated to a fashion show presented by Seahorse Lane Boutique and Seahorse Shoes on the ‘cat’ walk before the ‘big dogs’ (all Humane Society residents) were brought out. The pooches pawed their way into the hearts of guests, stealing the show after a performance by the Indian River Charter High School Dance Team to “The Greatest Showman.”
VIPs were served specialty sweets by their own personal butlers in four luxurious diva dens designed by Page 2 Design, which even included a private mini bar. With others green with envy over the opulent seating, there was quite a bidding war as the dens were auctioned off for next year’s event.
This year’s collective 20 Shoe Guys raised more than $80,000 for the cause.
The reigning King of Sole, Chris Sullivan, held on to his crown, raising more than $15,000.
Attendees did their best to sip, savor, shop and support the nonprofit’s mission of accepting all animals, regardless of age, health, behavior or adoptability. Proceeds from the event support numerous Humane Society programs and services, from adoption and veterinary care to education and outreach.
Upcoming events include the Jan. 12 Bark in the Park and March 5 Cause for Paws.
For more information, visit hsvb.org.
Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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