MONMOUTH COUNTY – The 2021 Fur Ball Gala, hosed by the Monmouth County SPCA, raised over $320,000 towards helping the community’s homeless, neglected and abused animals.
The sold-out event celebrated 75 years of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with 300 guests in attendance to support the shelter.
Monmouth County SPCA leadership welcomed the special guest of the night Ursula Goetz. For two decades, Goetz led the organization towards its present-day success by creating policy changes for shelter animals, a capital campaign for major renovations and the establishment of the Vogel Spay/Neuter Clinic.
Since this year’s theme was centered around celebrating the organization’s 75th anniversary, the event featured an entire history exhibit with photos, news clippings, videos and literature dating back to 1945. Several guests dressed in 1940s attire for the occasion and enjoyed 1940s live music.
Of course, there can’t be a Monmouth County SPCA event without puppies! One of the highlights of the night was the puppies and dogs in attendance who had all been rescued and given a second chance thanks to the Monmouth County SPCA.
Chaplain Matty Guiliano lead a spirited pledge program encouraging guests to donate to the shelter’s lifesaving programs and helped raise over $45,000. Some other fundraising factors from the event included live and silent auctions, and the 50/50 raffle totaling to over $23,000. A lucky resident of Millstone won over $11,000 from the raffle.
The Monmouth County SPCA thanked their 75th Anniversary Sponsors: The Hesse Companies, Fran & Paul Turner, Kaseya and the Cooper Voccola Family Foundation. They also thanked the event co-chairs, Andrew & Allison Grossman and Christian & Monica Peter, for a successful night.
“I am so proud of this organization and how far we’ve come in our 75 years of existence. From a small, modest brick building, to a 21st century, state-of-the art campus, the Monmouth County SPCA has evolved to be the beacon for all things animal welfare in the state of New Jersey and beyond,” Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA Ross Licitra said. “I can’t thank Ursula and the hundreds of other people who have paved the way for our success enough. We will continue to advocate, protect and create happy lives for all animals that come to us – today, tomorrow and for the next 75 years!”
