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The much celebrated Santa Paws event, a major fund-raiser hosted annually to benefit Operation Kindness for Hernando County Animal Services, Inc., was canceled last December due to inclement weather—and with this event was an auction set to offer a vast array of artwork, gift baskets, fine housewares and luxury items, holiday decor and tableware, fine jewelry, pet supplies, business gift certificates, toys and collectibles, and other items. Now, this full range of elite and fun merchandise is up for offer via the OK for HCAS Online Auction, now through April 28, on the Operation Kindness Facebook page.
Operation Kindness was formed by a small group of local animal advocates to enhance the quality of life, increase adoptions and educate the public on behalf of the animals at Hernando County Animal Services. Operation Kindness is a nonprofit organization providing financial and in-kind support to HCAS to enhance the care of all animals in placement.
“We have to find homes for all of our raffle baskets and items. So, we are running an online auction on Facebook,” said Abby Evert, president of Operation Kindness. “Just go to our Facebook page and let the bidding begin.”
Evert is pleased to finally offer this bountiful plethora of beautifully presented gift baskets and items to those who wish to support Operation Kindness.
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“Our beloved Santa Paws event was canceled last December due to inclement weather. We’ve held this event every year since our inception, so it was upsetting to us and to our participants to miss out on this wonderful event (pet photos with Santa Claus),” she said. “As a result of the cancellation, we were left with a wealth of holiday and other raffle items that needed to find new homes, and we decided the best way to accomplish this was through an online auction.”
This auction, much like other OK fund-raisers, promises to bring in much-needed funds for this animal-centered nonprofit. “All of our events help us to raise awareness about the county shelter and Operation Kindness for HCAS,” said Evert. “They also provide vital financial support for the needs of our shelter animals and strengthen the relationships within our animal-loving and business communities. So, we urge all who might be interested in visiting our Facebook page to find a little something for themselves, which will, in turn, provide support to our shelter animals.”
Here’s how the auction works. Bidding is live and underway now and closes on Sunday, April 28th, at noon. Bidders will review a Facebook photo album full of items to bid on; all participants must provide a valid email address with their bid. In order to make sure that they’re seeing all of the bids, bidders are encouraged to change Facebook’s comment filter to “All Comments.”
Items up for offer include For a Special Pup, a dog-themed gift basket that features a puppy bed, pupcorn, mug, paw print keepsake, pet toys, and more; a Bundles of Holiday basket offering handpainted glasses and gourmet chocolates and specialty foods; a Pamper Me basket that includes china teacup and saucer and a hand-crocheted lap blanket, a plaque and a rose ornament; a Bathroom Pampering basket that includes a hand crochet lap blanket, lotions, masks, sponges, and tray; a Rest and Relax basket featuring a hand crochet lap blanket, hand towel, soup and spoon, photo frame, cutting board; a Holiday Decor basket that includes candles and candle brass holders, a tray and a napkin holder; Spode Christmas tree mugs; Pfaltzgraff Winterberry platter; wine glasses; a Kitty Love necklace; chocolate and white diamond earrings; “Patiently Waiting,” a 11×14 matted and signed print from an original painting by local Ridge Manor artist Judeii Kerrigan; and gift certificates from Dog Mania and Cats, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, Victory and Vanity Hair Salon, Southern Harmony Cafe, Sonny’s BBQ, Golden Corral, Main Street Eatery, Krazy Hair Salon, Express Oil Change, Pizza Hut, Cici’s Pizza, VISA gift card, and Dunkin Donuts; Pet Gear Stair Landings; Mickey and Minnie musical plush dolls; a Musical Rocking Horse miniature; an Expressions travel bag; a Hurley Electric Stowaway Bike; a Snow Fun Basket that includes a snowman towel, decorated basket, and cloth napkins; and a Kitchen Fun Basket, featuring storage containers, kitchen gadgets, kitchen tools, and towels.
Visit https://www.operationkindnesshcas.org/ for more information, or check them out at facebook.com/operationkindnesshcas
“Thank you to our volunteers, who were instrumental in pulling these beautiful baskets and items together for us,” said Evert.
