Hartsville hosts Evening Under the Oaks fundraiser
An “Evening Under the Oaks” raised money for the Humane Society’s “Raise the Woof” campaign. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES
Kathy Rogers and Frederick Checke. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES
by Samantha Lyles
Animal lovers donned their party duds and gathered for the annual Evening Under the Oaks fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 9, held at Hartsville’s Oak Manor Inn. Guests at this sold-out event enjoyed a gourmet dinner catered by Hidden Treasures, music and dancing courtesy of Funk Factory 5 Band, and a live auction featuring a variety of arts and crafts, food and beverages, and unique experiences up for bid.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Darlington County Humane Society’s “Raise the Woof” campaign, which aims to build a new $3.5 million indoor shelter and state-of-the-art adoption facility for our county’s homeless animals. This would replace the current shelter, which was built in 1997 and is now aged and far too small for the growing number of animals brought in each year.
According to the shelter, over 3,000 animals were surrendered in 2017 alone, including cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. Presently, cats are housed in converted storage sheds or outdoor dog kennels lacking insulation or protection from harsh weather. Dogs spend most of their time in kennels without a dedicated spot for them to run around and interact, unless specifically walked out by a volunteer. With increasing episodes of severe weather, problems like flooding, freezing, and severe storms, the animals are at increased risk.
The fundraising campaign is off to a strong start, thanks to events like Evening Under the Oaks. With over $477,000 raised so far, the goal of giving local animals a clean, spacious, and safe shelter could be within reach.
Donations to Raise the Woof are tax deductible, as the Darlington County Humane Society is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 57-1050670).
To make a donation or learn more about this project, visit www.raisethewoofdchs.org
