MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter is preparing to bring back a familiar fundraiser, Cause for Paws. The fundraiser has not been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event will have bucket raffles, a silent auction, party games, music, a photo booth, and fun for everyone. The silent auction will have a wide variety of items and “experiences” up for grabs, including one returning attraction which allows the winner to name a new beer from Kognisjon Bryggeri after their pet.
“We’re bringing back the ‘Name a Beer’ event, which is very, very popular,” said Leslie Hurst, the co-chair of cause for paws and board president. “We’ve got a Las Vegas trip, many of the local businesses have provided many nice bucket raffles and gift certificates and stuff.”
Cause for Paws was one of four major fundraisers that the shelter would put on every year, and money raised at the event will be going to the UPAWS general fund.
“We don’t get any direct money from any government agency, so it goes everywhere,” Hurst said. “From feeding the animals, to paying our staff salaries, heating the building, medical care. Everything that goes into the day-to-day operations that goes into running a shelter of our size.”
Along with reviving the fundraiser, UPAWS is also going to be bringing back the community awards which also has not happened in quite sometime.
“We feel very strongly about this,” said Hurst. “These are people that partner with us, and share the same mission. So that’s going to be another highlight, we’ve got four people or organizations that we’re going to presenting awards to as well.”
Cause for Paws will be taking place at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, from 6-10 pm. UPAWS is asking those that wish to attend to purchase their tickets early so they will be able to make arrangements for the event. Tickets cost $45 per person, and can be bought online by clicking here.
