Over mid winter break Junior Sydney Koffman and her mother Donna Koffman were the co-chairs for the ARC or Animal Rescue Coalition Gala that was hosted at Michael’s on East. The purpose of the event was to emphasize and to continue the success of the Animal Rescue Coalition. The event raised over $200,000.

Among the more than 100 guests in attendance were some ODA students and faculty. Before the dinner started, participants were mostly outside of the restaurant while visiting small animals on display for people to buy and adopt.

During this time, the guests were arriving, signing in, and receiving information that offered information about where to sit. Tables had creative names like “Siamese” that corresponded with types of animals.

Later on, the doors to the inside of the restaurant were opened. It was a large, dimly lit room with two projectors in the opposite corners of the room. Tables had animal names, which helped everyone get find their places.

After dinner, an auction for the charity was held. I was asked to help with the process of identifying the bidders to the auctioneer by waving a long foam stick that would light up and help the auctioneer see that someone had bid on the dimly lit room.

The things that were up bidding were expensive, but the money from the auction all helped to support the Animal Rescue Coalition. Items ranged from dinners and jewelry to the possibility of having one’s pet’s face plastered to the side of the ARC van.

Once the auction was over, the desert table opened up and the band began to play some great music from the 70s-90s, including songs from Michael Jackson and Queen.

The Animal Rescue Coalition Gala will happen again next year and Sydney said that she would be willing to co chair once again at next year’s event.