Hundreds of Items Up for Bid at Second Chance Dinner Auction

EAST BROOKFIELD — What do a modern grandfather clock, a bowling party for 12 at Splitsville in Patriot’s Place and Wachusett Mountain lift tickets have in common? All three will be up for bid at Second Chance Animal Services’ 24th annual Dinner Auction. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 25 at Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, and all proceeds will help homeless shelter pets get the veterinary care they need to begin their new lives.

Chief Development Officer Lindsay Doray said local businesses and animal lovers have been very generous this year. “We have some fantastic auction items this year from beautiful gift baskets to a week’s stay at a private apartment in Le Suquet, the charming, old quarter of Cannes, France.”

Doray noted that ticket sales have been brisk this year, and she encourages everyone to get their tickets soon. The event will begin at 4 p.m. with hundreds of items up for bid or raffle during cocktails. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. followed by a live auction featuring a selection of premium items and the closing of the silent auction.

This year, a selection of gift cards and small, easy-to-ship items donated for the auction will be available for advance online bidding beginning Friday, March 17. Online bidding will end Friday, March 24 at 1 p.m. so the committee can prepare for the event.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on many, many event-exclusive items and outbid any online bids until the auction closes,” said Doray, who encourages supporters make plans to attend the popular event.

Second Chance is still welcoming sponsors and item donations to help make the dinner auction a success. “Year after year, our local businesses are always generous in their support of this important event,” Doray noted.

The annual dinner auction is Second Chance’s largest and most important fundraiser. This year’s event will help medically needy shelter pets get the care they need, from vaccines to lifesaving surgeries. Second Chance takes in sick or injured pets that may be turned away from other shelters due to the cost of providing their veterinary care.

For anyone interested in sponsoring, donating an item, or attending the 24th annual Dinner Auction, complete information and ticket sales can be found at www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction.