TRACS rethinks fall festival fundraiser

THOMPSON FALLS – Thompson River Animal Care Shelter held their annual fall fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 13 and although traffic was light, those in attendance enjoyed good food, good drinks and good entertainment.

According to owner Wanda Thorpe, the event only saw 12 ticketed guests, a diminished number from the fall fundraisers held in the past.

“The sixth annual fall fundraiser for TRACS went off without a hitch, except there were very few there to see it,” Thorpe said. “This fundraiser is what TRACS uses to gain funding to get us through the long and lean winter months. And the folks at TRACS sure are disappointed.”

The event was scheduled at the same time as a well-attended auction of the Hedley Estate west of town, which brought in 400-700 people throughout the day.

The question now is whether or not the fall fundraiser will continue. This year the shelter lost money putting on the event because of the low number of participants, a hit that is hard for the shelter to take.

“Whether we continue this event will be up to the decision of the board of directors for TRACS and the community,” Thorpe said. “It has been very well attended in the past and a somewhat unique venue for people to enjoy the wonderful fall weather.”

Thorpe said the fundraiser was a “fund-loser” this year and stated the shelter could not afford to do it again. Looking into the future, the shelter is plagued with worry.

“Our Avista Golf Tournament funding outcome will help us so much this year, but it is a once in seven year fundraiser for us,” Thorpe explained. “We are worried about next year, and we invite the community to let us know what and when they will attend a fall fundraiser for TRACS and what theme might attract them.”

Wanda stated the shelter needs consistent income to keep the doors open and in the past the fall event was helpful in bringing in those funds.

“All the volunteers and staff worked so hard on this event and when few people showed up to support TRACS, we decided to make it into a great part for the TRACS volunteers and it was,” Thorpe said. “It was a beautiful day and a beautiful venue.”

Those who did attend the fundraiser had a good time.

“The TRACS volunteers who put together the fall fundraiser really appreciated the 12 ticketed guests who came to support our shelter,” Thorpe said.

Thorpe said Kim and Pete Morkert as well as David and Debbie Beal have attended the event every year for the six years of the event.

The fundraiser featured different beer and wine to taste, as well as hors d’oeuvres that were served.

“The wine, beer and juices poured freely and all the wines were animal themed labels,” Thorpe said. “The favorite items were the sausage stuffed mushrooms and the wonderful bruschetta, not to mention the artichoke tortellini prosciutto skewers.”

Entertainment was on hand to make sure everone enjoyed their evening. Lisa French, Heather Thompson, Joe Moyer, and the Clark Fork Ramblers filled the PPL Park with tasteful music.

To weigh in on the fundraiser and to give TRACS ideas, the shelter can be reached at 827-8722.