Costumed partiers take a turn in the photo booth at the inaugural Howl-Ween Pawty at Fender's Alley in Cornelia on Oct. 21, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography)
It was a successful night of fundraising at Fenders Alley in Cornelia Saturday, as a crowd turned out to support the local animal shelter.
“We packed out the place!” says Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix.
Former American Idol contestant Matthew Sexton performed. (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) Shelter volunteers and staff present a custom print to Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix. The print shows her lovingly holding three puppies, surrounded by the faces of the many animals she has helped save. (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography)Peter J. from Mix Masters Productions emceed the event. (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography)Local businesses donated items for a silent auction. Items included a fly-fishing excursion, wine tasting tour, plasma art, wreaths, gift baskets, and a year’s contract for lawn maintenance. (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) Halloween -34(Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) Partiers and ‘paw-tiers’ danced into the night. (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography) (Jessica Dunne/Striking Dunne Photography)
Children and adults – some in costume, many not – showed up for the HCACC’s first-ever ‘Howl-Ween Pawty.’ The event featured live entertainment, a silent auction, contests, and door prizes. The event raised $4,695 toward the purchase of two neonatal kitten incubators.
Although HCACC did not meet its $7,500 fundraising goal, the outcome still pleased Nix. She was unsure of what to expect from this first-year event but says it went “great!”
“We may not have reached the numerical goal, but I’d say we reached the goal!”
With the money they raised, the shelter can purchase the two incubators and provide free spay and neuter services for approximately 20 low-income pet owners. Nix adds she’s grateful to everyone in the community who made the evening a success.
