Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue’s third annual gala, “Casino Night on the Greens,” will take place March 10 at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse and be hosted by M*A*S*H* actress Loretta Swit.
To be held from 6 to 11 p.m., Casino Night on the Greens will raise funds for the nonprofit’s Peter’s Friends Animal Resource Center project. The event will feature Texas Hold 'Em poker, slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps. The "funny money" winnings will go toward raffle tickets to win items donated by local businesses. The event will also feature quick-fire raffles, dancing, heavy hors d'oeuvres, desserts, a full bar and live entertainment provided by Little Jake and The Soul Searchers.
Swit has been nominated for and has won Emmy awards; the People's Choice Award; the Golden Globes awards; The Sarah Siddons Award and a Lifetime Career Achievement Award from the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival. Swit served as creative consultant and host of the series, "Those Incredible Animals," on the Discovery Channel, and has received the Betty White Award by Actors and Others for Animals for her efforts. She just released the book, "SWITHEART: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit," and will be signing copies of the book at the gala, with 100 percent of the book sale proceeds going to Swit’s Switheart Foundation.
“This is our third Loretta Swit and Friends Gala," Ayla's Acres Executive Director Fran Charlson said. "It's an important component in making Peter’s Friends a reality. Events such as this will make that possible. This event is going to be a terrific evening of fun and entertainment. You won’t want to miss it"
Tickets cost $125 and include two drink tickets (beer and wine), $1,500 in “funny money,” one raffle ticket, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing and live entertainment. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.aylasacres.org/events, by calling (904) 325-3554 or at Ayla's Acres Thrift Shop located at 142 King St. in St. Augustine. Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra will offer discounted rooms for people attending the event; call (650) 520-5201 for more information. There are a limited number of rooms available.
Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue, Inc. is a St. Augustine-based nonprofit supporting adoption, spay and neuter and responsible care of animals. Along with education, outreach, adoption, and fostering programs, Ayla’s Acres maintains a 45-acre sanctuary where “unadoptable” animals can live out their lives in peace. The organization is currently raising money to build the St. Johns County-based Peter’s Friends Animal Resource Center, which will serve as an adoption facility, low/no-cost spay and neuter clinic and education and outreach center. Ayla’s Acres receives no government funding, relying instead on private grants and donations of money, supplies, and items that are sold through its thrift shop.
