COPIAH ANIMAL SHELTER 2021 STAR WARS GALA !!

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Thank You to EVERYONE who helped with GALA preparations and attended despite Virus numbers climbing again.  We had a much-needed successful fundraiser - all because of y'all!  Copiah Animal Shelter Volunteers speak for the animals and from the deepest part of our hearts to say THANK YOU and how much we APPRECIATE your love and support!  CAS can only save animal lives because of you.  That sounds trite, but it's true!

See GALA PHOTO GALLERY Below.  Find more photos at this Google link:

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fb7JcG3qbZDXe4tW9

And GALA 2021 Album on our Facebook Page.

Did you attend the GALA and take photos?  Upload your best photos to the Google link above! And Tag Copiah Animal Shelter  on Facebook and Instagram. 

facebook.com/copiahanimalshelter

instagram.com/copiahanimalshelter

An evening of fun while raising money for the animals at Copiah Animal Shelter!!

Dinner, DJ, dancing, cash bar, silent auction, raffles, Jedi training for any younglings in attendance!  Star Wars bingo and the always fun end-of-the-evening Team Trivia game.  Photo ops with costumed characters, lots of fun! 

Wow, there were some great costumes at the GALA!    See multiple pages of  fun photos below - be sure to click on "Show More" at the bottom.

Covid was strong but the FURce was stronger! Despite the latest surge in the Covid Virus, Copiah Animal Shelter’s 2021 Star Wars Gala went off without a hitch. Tomato Queen Ainsley Marler and College World Series Baseball National Championship Winner Preston Johnson were honored guests. Lucas Films affiliated professional costuming groups, the MS 501st Rancor Raiders and the Dagobah Base, thrilled guests with their amazing Hollywood worthy costumes. Many attendees took pictures with the costumers and some even did the cupid shuffle with Darth Vader. 

Wielding pool noodle lightsabers, many younglings enjoyed learning the ways of the Force with a Jedi training session under the guidance of Jedi Master Nathan Deaton and his helpers Trent Hunt and Cash Hunt. Dinner service came abruptly to a halt when Imperial Forces found our Rebel base and GALA guests found themselves front row spectators to an epic battle. 

The dinner menu included pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, charcuterie boards, tomato tartlets, and stuffed mushrooms, which Darth Vader declared the best he had ever eaten! A popcorn bar and delicious cakes were offered for dessert. Darth Vader (aka Ryan Buckley) showed his true colors by killing one of our guests. Vader must have found his lack of faith disturbing. 

Bidding on the silent auction items was fast and furious and many found treasures they didn’t know they needed! Our newest game, Team Bingo, was won by John Coates, Brandi Coates, Mary Beth Coates, Drake Bayles, Renee Graves, Kim Whittington and Jayme Whittington. The always popular Team Movie Trivia came down to three teams. Team Jaba Jawas eked out a victory. Team members included: Ryan and Jessie Buckley, Nathan Deaton, Emily Hust, Leigh Hust, Ben Buckley, and Riley Kate Smith. 

Kelsey Eady, dressed as Chewbacca, and Abigail Holifield, dressed as Baby Yoda, won the kids’ costume contest. Chewbacca entertained everyone with her fancy dance moves! It was very hot and anyone who kept their costume on all night deserved a medal. If you didn’t attend, you missed a great time for a wonderful cause! Everyone who attended had the same goal in mind. We want there to be a safe place for needy animals, in Copiah County, MS and surrounding communities, to call home until they find their furever home. Every penny raised goes directly to the animals. A HUGE thank you to ALL who helped with the GALA in so many ways! 

For more information about Copiah Animal Shelter, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, see the website: copiahanimalshelter.net or text/call 601-954-6447. Helping local homeless animals since 2011.

 -- By Laurie Williams, GALA Chairman