TRACS fundraiser brings in record profits

TROUT CREEK – Sequins, feathers and performing acts filled the Lakeside Banquet room in Trout Creek on both Friday and Saturday night as the Thompson River Animal Care Shelter hosted their annual fundraiser.

The 7th annual “Pretty Darn Good Variety Show and Fundraiser” was held Las Vegas style allowing people to dress up for the occasion.

As the acts hit the stage dressed to a tee, attendees crowded the banquet room in anticipation.

Attendees could see anything from dancing turkeys, to talking dogs and a Beatles cover band.

TRACS provided food with the entertainment, serving up chicken skewers with BBQ sauce or ranch, tortilla wraps, chips, pretzels and cheese and vegetable skewers.

The amount of attendees nearly doubled from last year with 257 people attending in all.

A silent and live auction was also held, dishing out prizes to those who were willing to donate money to TRACS.

“(The fundraiser) went really well. It was the best ones yet,” said founder of TRACS Wanda Thorpe. “We’re very, very happy with the way it turned out.”

This year was the first year the fundraiser ran two nights and the event netted more money than ever before.

Last year the event raised between $2,700 and $2,800 but this year it brought in an impressive $6,700.

The money will go to veterinary care for the animals as well as monthly operating expenses used to keep the shelter going.

The twelve acts consisted of Out of Our Mimes with Deb Achatz and Erika Jaegers, the Ranchettes with Donna Curry, Jen Strine, Chris Magdalene and Deb Oliver, the Fabulous Dipsticks with Ken Bickerstaff, Bill Eckloff and Dave Oliver, Once Upon a Dream with Geni Holden, the Knapweeds with Jan Manning, Donna Curry, Deb Oliver and Dave Oliver, two performances by the Fab 4-5-6-7 with Deb Achatz, Erika Jaegers, Carolyn Hidy, Mindy Ferrel, Geni Holden, Donna Carr and Lacey Heinzelman, the Turkeys in the Straw with Deb and Dave Oliver, the I Love with Jan Manning and her dog Lizzie, the Terminator with Dieter Jaegers and Dave Oliver, I Didn’t Know the Gun was Loaded with Donna Curry, Chris Magdalene and Jen Strine, The Sons of the Biscuits with Ken Bickerstaff, Bill Eckloff and Dave Oliver and was concluded by the Master of Ceremonies with Don Manning.

Bill Kenyon was in charge of the sound while Jean Polequaptewa was in charge of the costumes.

With the success of the event, Thorpe said the shelter would like to continue hosting the event for two nights.

“It was a real success and we’ll probably do it again,” said Thorpe.