[2-part post combined. BIG]
Let me specify that the shelter benefit dinner is NOT a symposium
event. It is NOT funded by any money from anyone other than anonymous
donors. It is a GIFT to the local shelters or, if there are none, to
all shelters through SOS. It is FREE to all who attend. You may donate
as much or as little as you like - anonymously into the big jar, or by
check. If you want a tax receipt, you will get one onsite. We aim to
please. Any questions or concerns - any memories or pictures - please
hold ME responsible. Usually I am in the kitchen so I forget stuff.
Would LOVE to know of others recollections.
Many years ago a friend in Las Vegas ran a shelter. CJ Jones, of the
24KT Ferret Shelter, worked tirelessly with ferrets who were picked up
at the CA borders or taken from abusive environments. She was a wonder.
I felt bad I was unable to do more for her. In 2001, however, I learned
that I would be able to meet CJ because the 2002 Symposium would be in
Las Vegas! I told her that if she liked I would be happy to cook a big
pot of gumbo and we could invite people for donations. She thought that
was a great idea and so we did. CJ rounded up a few volunteers, took us
to do the shopping and had doorprizes she had made herself. That day,
returning from a shopping trip, CJ draped a pink boa around my neck and
I have worn it at every shelter dinner since. It is a bit worse for
wear, but will always be there to remind me of our beginnings. We had
a nice turnout, and her shelter/house was full. I don't know how much
money she collected, but it was enough to leave her suitably impressed.
A nice bonus for CJ was a gift from Jimmy Mullon of NY -- he fixed her
kitchen sink and it worked great! And, ever since, Judy Cooke has been
asking for *those little round sugary things* -- beignets!
In 2003 we were going to meet in Atlanta. A Southerner's roots!
Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a little bit of salad and a roll --
my sister's mantra! It begged for a forum and A Ferret Business of
Georgia, operated by Juliana Quadrozzi, became the beneficiary.
Planting myself in Juliana opened her home and shelter to all who
wanted to attend. We TRIED to get people to RSVP, but that failed
miserably! We expected about 25 and nearly 100 showed up! Wow, was the
shelter packed -- cars were parked down the street at the shopping
center and people spilled out onto the deck and into the yard. But, we
had fun and collected more that $500 in donations. In Atlanta we had
our first donations of door prizes from outside the shelter, thanks to
the efforts of Sharon Beardon. Rick White just walked into the kitchen
and started washing dishes. Gotta love a man who does that! I outfitted
him with an apron from my good friend, Karen Douglas, that she had made
especially for the dinner. You will see it at every shelter dinner.
And, a gift from Mary Jo Bright, who made a shelter dinner apron, too,
proclaims *Save Our Shelters* at the Ferret Friendly Feast! Wow! What
wonderful support we were receiving! There was even a birthday cake
for a surprised guest!
By the time we planned the St. Louis Symposium in 2005, it was just
assumed that we would have the shelter benefit dinner. I did not have a
single shelter in the area, but was aware of several in MO, with some
specifically in the surrounding neighborhood. But, there was nobody
nearby with a home that we could use. Thanks to the efforts of Trisha
Walther, we were able to find a park where we could host a barbeque. A
glitch in the system caused our fresh ribs to arrive a week early and
they had to be frozen -- darn! When we arrived to cook them, they were
still frozen! To top it off, there was freezing rain at the dinner and
the little grills were woefully inadequate for the cooking. Rick White
to the rescue -- again! Rick visited the local Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW) on the corner, and they loaned us their HUGE portable cooking
grill! We had fire! Candy White and Ela Heyn helped Trisha make the
deviled eggs and the potato salad. Several others showed up early and
cleaned off the tables -- I have pictures, but the names elude me at
the moment -- and got everything ready. Numerous people made donations
to the doorprizes and Mazzuri donated goody bags. Once more we had lots
of goodies for all who showed -- even if the crocheted eggs I ordered
still have not arrived! We don't know where they are as they were sent
but never arrived. It was so cold that in jest we auctioned off a
towel, which sold for around $100! Into the donation pot. This time we
raised more than $1000, which went to SOS to provide to needy shelters.
I want to thank Marsha Crowell of MO for adding a popular toy -- the
Sonic Drive-In pocket pet (ferret in carrier) to my attire. It now
hangs from the pink boa. Oh, and you should SEE the great cake someone
donated for dessert. Bill Gruber arranged a sign and several people
set up transports to get guests to the park. What great people ferret
people are!
By 2006 we were in Toronto and the event was not near enough a shelter
to use the building. Ferret Aid Society was our recipient and we held
the dinner in a park. Oh, wow, if it could go wrong it did! First,
the park -- thought to be within walking distance -- was quite a hike.
Those who made it were definitely diehards! In fact, the closest we
could get the CAR with the food -- no cooking facility there -- was
about a quarter to half mile away! I am afraid the requested red beans
and rice, cornbread and whatever else we had, was not as hot as I would
have liked. AND, the stains are still on my carpet in the back of the
car. (IF you know how to get them out, show me in Portland!) Once more
we had lots of prizes and lots of food -- there is always plenty of
southern style iced tea -- and lots of fun. A special thank you to June
McNichols (one of my FAVORITE people in the world), Lynn Barker, Mary
Jo Bright, Massachusetts Ferret Friends (MaFF members) for all their
help. While donations were down, we still managed to raise more than
$600 for Randy Belair. And, the Alberta Ferret Society (congratulations
of 13 years!) sealed me with an official sticker -- see my apron for
proof! And, when I got home -- there were even donations sitting on my
doorstep -- they did not arrive quite in time for the event, but were
put to good use elsewhere.
It is now a year later and once more we are planning to eat. This time
we will be hosted by the Cascade Ferret Network and the Pacific Coast
Network at the home of Chris and Dave Mathis in Oregon City. The event
seems to grow each time and this is no exception. Donors started
sending me UNSOLICITED doorprizes months ago. How cool is that? Thank
you! And, several people have offered to provide their favorite dishes
to make this event a true local affair. Elayne Barclay has arranged
for this to be a green event, Chris Mathis has opened her home and her
houseguests are volunteering for host duty. Once again Sharon Beardon
has donated her time to round up goodies. Thank you -- I can't wait to
see what arrives!
For those who have never attended, you are invited and welcome.
Although we like to know how many are coming so there is enough food,
no RSVP is needed. If you are in Portland on Thursday, come on in. If
your plane gets in at 6, that is okay -- we will serve till 8 and if we
know you are coming, may let you eat with the cleanup crew! ;-) Need
a ride? There will be transportation from the hotel. Need directions?
They will be at the hotel desk. And, if you see someone waiting for a
ride, bring them along. We will have door prize drawings every hour so
that all get a chance to win -- you can't buy these tickets as each
attendee gets ONE ticket. And, usually everyone gets a doorprize.
VEGAN? We have options for you. VEGGIE? Yup, it's in there. And,
CARNIVORE, well sharpen your incisors. AND if you are FASTING, come for
the fellowship! I will miss not having Rick and Candy White of SAFE
with us, but am so looking forward to meeting all of you. Say hello --
I will be wearing the ferret apron and pink boa and probably holding
a dripping spoon in one hand with a glass of iced tea in the other!
--
renee :)
It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the
credit!
Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
http://www.ferretemergency.org
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International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
[Posted in FML 5634]
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