From the SPA
By Mauri Formigoni, Dec 22, 2006

A darned cool fundraiser

I heard it said several times, “This is the best fundraiser I have been to.” Several of us wished the sun would shine a bit more, but that was out of our control.

All else went perfectly. The purpose of the Sociedad Protectora de Animales is to heal and protect with vaccinations and shelter, reduce the growing number of puppies and kittens, and serve those who care for their pets and cannot afford to treat them. We also keep homeless animals until we can find good homes for them. Our costs are high: maintenance and staff salaries, along with medicine and food, total over US$8,000 per month. Clinic fees do not begin to cover our medical costs, and so we have fundraisers when we can to help keep us going.

The music at our barbecue on December 3 was splendid. The food was ample and luscious. Lots of people had a great time, and the grounds and ambiance were spectacular. Our heartiest thanks go to the owners of Rancho Los Olivos, Becky and Robin Milward, who worked with their daughter, Kim, and her husband, Jorge, until their daughter, Ella Rebecca Olivares Powell, was born three days before the event took place. 

Everything was perfect. Many people donated their time and products to make this lovely event possible. All of the SPA volunteers and board members worked very hard to make this a success. All the tickets were sold. Several people made homemade coleslaw and baked beans galore and picked up ice, wine and chairs. We even had a cook wagon and four cooks from the tianguis who grilled arrarachera and hot dogs all afternoon, along with flipping burgers and veggie burgers. Food was donated by Keith at Frontera Longhorn and Eric from Hecho en Mexico, and both meat and consultation came from Maurice at La Palapa. Volunteer Pauline Chapman found most of the meat donors, and we appreciate her organization and hard work. Exquisite French pastry chef Audreen Maestri baked and donated trays of delicious deserts. Audreen was trained at the Culinary Institute of America and plans soon to open a coffee and pastry café called “Kikirikiki” (named for the crowing of the rooster in the morning). 

One of the highlights of the day was a raffle from which three grand prizes were chosen. 

Tickets were sold for several weeks at Border Crossings, Solutions, La Conexión and the SPA. The hot air balloon ride, donated by Jay Kimball, was won by Anne Lindler. 

Leslie Tung won a stay at the Posada de Las Minas, and Georgia Wright won a stay at Casa Montana. We thank all the donors and winners. Gregory Diamant was master of ceremonies. His wife, Irene, and Kit Carson took tickets at the door. 

Additionally, we had help from Barbara Hennings who made the margaritas, and Rosalie Gower and Maggie Hutchins, who did lots of essential things like running for necessities such as ice. I. M. and Ilse Sheffield bought a case of wine, as did Natalie Hardy. Many helped in large and small ways, and we thank them all.

A surprise donation came in a piggy bank that has been hanging next to the bathrooms of El Rincon Español restaurant. The 1,500 pesos inside were donated by Pepe, the owner. 

Without doing a total breakdown of T-shirts and calendars, we netted approximately US$6,000, which will be spent on medicines and medical instruments, both badly needed. Without your help and generosity we could not accomplish the work we do for our animals and the community. We send our gracious thanks to partygoers, donation givers and workers alike.

We are lucky to live in this generous and good-hearted town and lucky to be a part of the Sociedad Protectora de Animales, which gives much to the animals and community. Thank you all.

Mauri Formigoni is an Associate Professor of Visual Arts at the University of Illinois, a long-time San Miguel resident and a lifelong animal lover. She can be reached at 154-5930 to answer questions.