Community members came together on Saturday evening in celebration of the 16th Annual Gala for Humane Indiana. With over 500 in attendance, the event was wildly successful, and sold out for the first time in its history.
“Tonight is a celebration of all the great things we do at Humane Indiana,” said Harry Vande Velde, CEO of Humane Indiana. “We have a fantastic shelter with a low-pay clinic attached, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and an Education Center. We want to recognize all that we do and at the same time, raise funds to make sure we can continue to grow and meet the needs of all animals, both domestic and wild.”
In true Humane Indiana fashion, guests were greeted at the door by a group of precious puppies, there to say thank you for all who contribute to the organization’s animal shelter.
Humane Indiana’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was also well-represented with animals including owls, snakes, tortoises and Tona (said like “tuna”) the Opossum there to say hello! These creatures were a testament to the outstanding work Humane Indiana does for the region’s wildlife.
In light of honoring this year’s Humane Heroes, who each received an award for their outstanding contributions to Humane Indiana, guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. Several attendees went all out with their costumes, including Cindy Altringer of I4D Events, whose entire family was decked out in superhero gear.
“We are happy to support a great cause that helps our native animals,” Altringer said.
After a cocktail hour and silent auction, guests took their seats to await the introduction of this year’s Humane Heroes. 2019 honorees included Sue Burns, Judy Olen, Scott Filler, Dr. Fiia Jokela, Mike Lambertino and Cmdr. John Banasiak, Dr. Ingrid Brookshaw and Dr. Jennifer Herbert, Judge Thomas P. Stefaniak Jr., John Grimmer, and Dr. John Coyne. Also among the award winners was Maggie DePirro, a Lake Central High School student who organized a food and supply drive for Humane Indiana, while maintaining a 4.1 GPA and serving as a dedicated leader of her swim and dive team.
“It’s a great honor to receive this award after all the hard work that’s gone into it, not just from myself but from my family, teammates, and coaches as well,” DePirro said. “It’s especially special to receive it from Harry, since I know him from a leadership group he led last year. I have three dogs of my own at home, so it’s great to give back to a place like Humane Indiana that does so much for the animals of the community.”
Following the presentation of awards, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and took part in an exciting live auction and an entertaining game of “Heads or Tails” presented by professional auctioneer Jonathan Kraft. With desirable items such as an autographed Javier Baez jersey and a live art piece done by Felix “FLEX” Maldonado up for grabs, bidders raised their paddles nonstop throughout the night, collectively raising thousands of dollars for Humane Indiana.
A highlight of the night was the unveiling of the first owl for the “Owl You Need is Love” Public Art Project. The project features 4.5-foot-tall white owl statues, available for sponsorship by local businesses, which will be displayed throughout Lake and Porter counties from mid-July to mid-October. The project will culminate with an auction for the owls in November.
“We thought it would be great to bring the animal loving and the art loving communities together in a way that would be beneficial for all,” said Pat Popa, Chair of the project. “These owls are a unique and interactive way to advertise for businesses and show support for local artists, animal welfare, and wildlife education.”
Schools are highly encouraged to participate, as they will get to keep their owl and receive a two-hour wildlife education program for students.
The first owl, painted by Munster artist Abbie Hoogeveen, was revealed at the end of the evening. It was dedicated to Arlene J. Heward, whose estate helped launch the project with a generous gift. The Owl features several details that honor Heward, including a scene of Horace Mann, the school she taught at for many years, and a small mickey mouse figure to pay tribute to her love for Disney. The painting also represented the animals she held close to her heart by including images of those who received help through Humane Indiana. This special owl will be displayed at the Munster Animal Shelter.
To sponsor an owl or learn more about Humane Indiana and its mission to lead the community in the humane treatment of all animals, visit humaneindiana.org/.