We had so much fun at this year's Birthday Bash! This was our second year hosting guests at the shelter for a fundraiser dinner, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the festivities. Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating our 92nd birthday and helping us raise money for shelter animals in need!

The evening began with a cocktail hour complete with a gorgeous charcuterie spread, beverages, music and more. Guests were greeted by our welcome wag-on of shelter dogs including Pad Thai, Everest, and Clyde. All three are still available for adoption! Attendees were also encouraged to visit sponsor tables, bid on silent auction items, and grab a bottle from our wine pull.

Above, center: HSVC Board President Sheila McCollum and Board Director Jane Akune attend the event with their spouses.

Volunteers including Val Gallagher (pictured left) manned the bar with a selection of drinks during cocktail hour. The menu included beers from Topa Topa Brewing Co. and Rincon Brewery and wine from Cani Amante Vineyard. Guests were also offered a signature drink, appropriately named "pupsecco", made of prosecco, sparkling water, and Limoncello from our friends at Ventura Spirits. It was a big hit!

After cocktail hour, partygoers found their seats and eagerly awaited dinner catered by DJ's Catering. Each table was beautifully decorated by Birthday Bash Committee Chair Debbie Guerra and her team. Thank you to Anita Marie Gallegos-Jeffrey, Esther Andrews, and Kendra Yoes for providing decorative lemons for the tables, bar, and more! HSVC would also like to give a shoutout to our friends at Kooks Ventura and Dogtown VTA for providing human and dog cookie party favors for each of our guests.

Birthday Bash emcees Sheriff Jim Fryhoff and Anson Williams made their grand entrance in style! Sheriff Fryhoff (above, left) rode in on HSVC Equine Manager Christina Malleck's horse, Oakley, and Anson Williams (above, center) followed close behind on a Vespa lent to us from Abra and Ed Burnett. They were met onstage by HSVC Executive Director Eric Knight (above, right) to kick off the dinner program. 

There was no shortage of HSVC staff and volunteers at Saturday's event! We know our shelter would not be able to continue serving the people and animals of our community without the dedication of our staff and volunteers. Thank you for all you do!

Atticus Reyes (above left), Field Representative for Assembly Member Steve Bennett, presented a Certificate of Recognition to the shelter during dinner. The crowd also heard inspiring adoption stories from Gopi and Rebecca (above center, adopted Ladybug in March 2023) and Ojai Mayor Betsy Stix (above right, adopted Harold in September 2023).

HSVC presented four big-ticket items for a live auction including a golf package, a trip to Hawaii, and a 2-night stay at Rancho Grande generously donated by the Murad family. Congratulations to all of our winners! Our emcees capped off the night with a paw raise, encouraging folks to donate to support shelter animals in need.

We have exceeded our fundraising goal and want to thank everyone who came and supported HSVC! Because of people like you, we have been able to serve our community for 92 years! Thank you to all of our event sponsors, committee members, donors, and supporters for making this the best birthday yet!

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Thank you to our Birthday Bash Committee!

Debbie Guerra - Committee Chair

 Valerie Gallagher • Hannah Jobus • Aurora Albright • Cheri Iadevaia • John Lockhart

Jenna Utter • Arlene MacSween

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Judy and Don Diaz • The Guerra Family • Sheila and Tom McCollum • Marc & Julia Whitman