Toast for the Animals deemed a smashing success
By Hollie Gowen Special to The Star-Herald
The fourth annual Toast for the Animals was a smashing success and an amazing fundraiser for the Central Aroostook Humane Society. A total of 144 people attended the event, and a whopping $7,500 was raised on Nov. 22.
This event is planned and put on annually by the “Friends of CAHS” auxiliary group under the guidance of CAHS Board members. The Friends of Central Aroostook Humane Society teamed again with Momentum Aroostook to put on the “Toast,” but there were a few changes from years past.
While the Toast has traditionally been a wine tasting, a lot of folks expressed interest in having it be a beer-tasting event. Organizers decided to give it a go this year and worked with Pine State Beverage Co. to get some unique, Maine-made craft beers for attendees to sample. The crowd seemed to greatly enjoy the brews and noshing on the appetizers accompanying them.
A new venue was also needed for the event this year, and The Northeastland Hotel in downtown Presque Isle fit the bill. The staff did a great job putting everything together on short notice.
The Toast has always featured live music, and this year it was provided by Brian Mosher and Doug Cronkhite from the local band Common Crossing. The two kept Toast-goers in a festive mood all night long.
Also new this year was a slideshow of adoptable animals available at the shelter, as well as prior shelter animals that were lucky enough to find forever homes, which ran throughout the evening, reminding everyone of the real reason they had come to the Toast — to help animals in need.
Friends group member Winona Christnot-Peters put the beautiful slideshow together for us.
“I have been a member of the Friends of the Central Aroostook Humane Society auxiliary group since its beginning, almost five years ago. Since joining the group, I have learned a lot and I have had to step outside my comfort zone a few times,” said Christnot-Peters. “I’m a better person for it. I have had the opportunity to volunteer in many unexpected and fun ways, the most exciting of which is planning our annual Toast for the Animals event. A lot of planning goes into this event every year and it has always resulted in a wonderful evening and this year was no exception!”
“I really enjoy helping plan the Toast because it gives me the opportunity to see the community coming together to support a great cause. Whether it be the others on the planning committee, our wonderful sponsors, individuals who donate items for our silent auction, those who attend the event or those who help spread the word or offer encouragement, there are many wonderful people involved in putting on this event,” said Christnot-Peters.
The silent auction featured over 90 lots and brought in the lion’s share of the funds raised as attendees bid high, knowing the money was going to a worthy cause.
The night also featured several door prizes and a 50/50 drawing, won by Sharon Campbell, who generously donated $100 of winnings right back to the shelter.
We were also pleasantly surprised by a $500 donation from Bob and Anna Saucier of Presque Isle. Every year the pair accepts donations on behalf of CAHS through their food truck and fairground restaurant, The Paddock Café. This year they raised about $250 and decided to double that as a special gift to us! This got quite an enthusiastic reaction from the Toast guests this year.
All funds raised at the Toast will be used to help the shelter with the many building maintenance projects on its to-do list. The projects will make the shelter a safer, healthier and happier place for the animals there, as well as the staff, volunteers and visitors.
None of the success we experienced this year would have been possible without all the volunteers who worked so hard to bring the event to fruition and the financial support of the event’s many sponsors.
Another annual humane society fundraiser — Pictures with Santa Paws — will be held this Saturday, Nov. 30, and next Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Aroostook Humane Society, located on Cross Street in Presque Isle.
If you are looking for a friend for life, visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.
You can give the shelter a call at 764-3441 or visit us on Facebook.
