Fundraiser featured an auction, entertainment and an art display – helps to keep humane society open!

Animal lovers and art lovers celebrated Saturday night at Artopia and raised money for the Madison County Humane Society. Artopia is at the Neely House, located at 575 S. Royal St.

The event, themed "All Things Fabulous," featured art, auctions, live entertainment, wine and hors d'oeurves and showcased the artistic talents of Mark Ramirez, from Memphis, and LaTarsha Hanna-Huff, of Nashville. Two new shops, The Rotten Roxy Pet Boutique and The Coffee and Pastry Shop, were previewed at Saturday's event.

Chris Nelson, an independent publicist, came up with the event to benefit the society because he read about its financial situation in the Jackson Sun.

"I wanted to do something that would give back to the community," Nelson said. "This was an emergency event, one that took three and a half weeks to put together. It was very quick (preparation), but this is for an important cause, and I want to do as much as we can do for this organization."

Alicia McEarl, 32, owner of Artopia, said that Nelson, a friend of hers, contacted her about hosting the event and as an occasional fundraiser for the society, she agreed with him that it would be a great idea.

"Fundraising is not something you do twice a year," McEarl said. "The society needs money every day. It constantly takes money to operate."

Earlier this month, the society announced it had exhausted its budget and was in danger of closing within two weeks. Overcrowding, rising utility cost and maintenance of the building are a few of the problems the East Jackson shelter is facing.

But, with Saturday's event and about $10,000 in donations of cash, materials and offers of additional help from the local veterinary community given earlier this month, the shelter will be able to operate through New Year's.

The society also is getting help from Vicki Lake, director of market research and community development for West Tennessee Healthcare. Lake has agreed to help the shelter find and apply for grants.

Amber Storey-Knight, vice president of the society's board of directors, said she was happy to see so many people come out and support the society.

"I think this is a very exciting, warm and vital event with lots of energetic people who are interested in the Humane Society," Storey-Knight said.

At 9 p.m. Saturday, more than $1,000 in tickets had been sold, she said. That amount does not include money raised in the event's auctions.

Lynn Caldwell, the society's fundraising chairperson, said the society is very thankful that McEarl and Nelson donated proceeds of Saturday's event to the society and that other donations from the public will gladly be accepted.

"We need people to give all year long," Caldwell said. "If more people like Alicia and Chris gave events like this, it would help us out a lot."

Artist Paul Fowler, 39, of Henderson County, now has an exhibition on display at Artopia. He said that being the owner of two adopted dogs enforces his belief in helping in the society.

"A community problem needs community help," Fowler said. "I have two beagle dogs, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They were given away by someone, and I took them in. They are two of the best dogs I've ever had."

Lauren Rogers, 23, of Jackson, looked around at the auctions with her in-laws, Doug and Cindy Rogers. The owner of a husky puppy and a kitten, Lauren Rogers said the organization is a valuable resource in the community and that Saturday's event was much needed.

"I think it's for a great cause," she said. "We've adopted from the Humane Society in the past, and it would be a shame to lose them."

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The Article By Tyrone Tony Reed, Jr.
Photo by Kyle Kurlick