By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography
Be Mine on the Main Line is Thursday, Feb 4th at Spamps Restaurant in Conshohocken. RSVP is highly recommended so we can plan accordingly.
Be Mine on the Main Line, AroundMainLine.com’s annual winter fundraiser, is back! In its second year, Be Mine focuses on bringing hundreds of Main Liners and animal lovers together from across the Delaware Valley to raise money and awareness for a local animal charity. On Thursday, February 4th, Conshohocken’s hottest restaurant Spamps will play host to hundreds of locals for a festive and sophisticated Valentine’s-themed party. AML will have the entire spacious restaurant dedicated to Be Mine—to welcome the Main Line and region’s finest for an important night of awareness and fundraising.
This year’s beneficiary of the proceeds of Be Mine on the Main Line II is Philadoptables (philadoptables.org). A brand new nonprofit that was formed over the past few months to address the overwhelming needs of Philadelphia Animal Control, also known as ACCT, Philadoptables’ goal is to bring awareness and funding for the 34,000 animals a year who are brought through the doors of ACCT. A visit to Philadelphia’s animal control a few weeks ago with Philadoptables board of directors’ member Kim Wolf really drove home the overwhelming need of what Wolf describes as “Philadelphia’s best and worst kept secret.” Cage after cage of hundreds of fabulous faces and furry friends were staring back at us as we walked the aisles—a shelter that is clearly overwhelmed with the city’s stray animals, abused dogs, and pets that owners have surrendered to ACCT due to personal or financial hardships.
Over 34,000 animals a year come through the doors of Philadelphia’s animal control.
Be Mine on the Main Line II is proud to be working with Otto’s BMW, the official corporate sponsor of this year’s party. Michael Vadasz, General Sales Manager of Otto’s, is part of one of the region’s most successful family businesses with locations in West Chester and Exton. Otto’s reputation for quality customer service spans over 40 years. “Otto’s, since the beginning, has always been known as the ‘place to go’ for all automotive enthusiasts. We have a knowledgeable staff that shares the same passion for these vehicles as our customers. Being a family-owned business, our atmosphere lends itself to be a more comfortable environment to purchase and service your car. We pride ourselves on having a customer-focused relationship not only during the sale but mainly the service experience after the sale,” explained Vadasz.
Otto’s chose to support AML’s annual fundraiser because animal causes and community awareness is an important part of their mission, said Vadasz. “Otto’s is and always has been a pet-friendly facility. When we were growing up, my parents would bring their German Shepherd to work every day. My parents always believed in giving back to the community in which we operate and part of that giving has included helping animals since they really don’t have a voice of their own.”
Be Mine on the Main Line II Event Details
What: AroundMainLine.com’s Annual Winter Fundraiser
Beneficiary: Philadoptables (philadoptables.org) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare and adoption of the 30,000+ animals that arrive each year at the Philadelphia animal control shelter, the region’s largest open-admission, high volume, public facility. They are the only charitable organization whose mission is dedicated solely to these animals and to serving as an independent resource for the community at large. A portion of the proceeds of Be Mine on the Main Line II will benefit Philadoptables.
Corporate Sponsor: Otto’s BMW (ottosbmw.com)
When: Thursday, February 4th, 2010 6p.m. to 10p.m.
Where: Spamps Restaurant, Conshohocken, 16 East First Avenue (spampsrestaurant.com)
Music: One of Delaware Valley’s best known DJ companies, Lansdowne’s Ryan Rhythm, will be rocking out the evening with great dance music!
Courtney Apple, a Philadelphia-based photographer who has generously donated her time and photos to AML, is one of the official sponsors of Be Mine.
Drink Specials: Weyerbacher Brewery is the official craft beer sponsor of Be Mine. Spamps will be offering specials on bottles of Merry Monks’ and Hops Infusion, two of Weyerbacher’s most popular ales. In addition, fun and delicious champagne cocktails will be served with Verdi Spumante sparkling champagne, a major event sponsor.
Faire: Spamps will be offering a special discounted menu for all attendees. A complimentary gourmet cupcake table courtesy of Cakes and Candies by Maryellen will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth!
RSVP: RSVP is highly recommended but not required. Please RSVP via our rsvp@aroundmainline.com
Facebook: Check out our event listing on Facebook and forward to your friends!
‘Fly Away’ Early Birds: Doors will open promptly at 6 p.m. AML will be working with Eclatante Event Design and Beautiful Blooms, Northern Liberties dynamic event duo, to decorate the restaurant and prepare for the party. Please do not arrive before 6 p.m. so our teams can have sufficient time and space for event setup. Thank You!
Northern Liberties’ dynamic event duo of Eclatante Event Design and Beautiful Blooms Boutique will be transforming Spamps into a festive, Valentine’s-themed atmosphere you do not want to miss! Photo courtesy of Marie Labbancz
Attire: It is a sophisticated party atmosphere! Show your ‘Valentine colors’ by sporting red or pink attire. Our motto for Be Mine is: Dress to Impress, Donate to Make a DifferenceTM
Cover: $10 cover, Cash Only. Additional contributions over the cover charge at the door will support the fundraising efforts of Be Mine for Philadoptables.
Restrictions: This event is strictly 21 and over, no children or pets permitted.
Door Prize: Bring your business cards! One attendee who provides a business card complete with email address will win dinner for two courtesy of Spamps. Winner will be chosen Friday Feb 5th and announced on AML’s Facebook Fan Page.
Supporting Sponsors: Eclatante Event Design, Beautiful Blooms, Two Paperdolls, Courtney Apple Photography, Cakes and Candies by Maryellen, Secrets Limousine, Weyerbacher Brewery, Verdi Spumante, Elite Training Sports, Kiss and Makeup Boutique
AML goes one-on-one with Kim Wolf, a board member of Philadoptables, to learn about the incredible needs and realities of the tens of thousands of animals at ACCT.
AroundMainLine.com: Let’s talk about your mission at Philadoptables.
Kim Wolf: There are a number of amazing groups out there that advocate on behalf of a specific shelter or rescue group, but one of the biggest gaps we found was that there was no way to assist the animals coming through animal control. That is how, and why, we formed Philadoptables.
AML: We talked about the numbers, which are simply mind-boggling to me. Where do the 34,000 plus animals that are part of animal control come from?
KW: These are the stray animals that you see roaming around the city. These are the animals that an owner drops off because they no longer want the dog or cat, or they are moving away, they were evicted from their house, or they can’t afford them anymore. These are also animals that may have been abused or neglected and many times there’s no way to trace the owner. It’s a mix of all very sad circumstances.
AML is encouraging all our Facebook fans to forward our event listing on Facebook to their friends to make Be Mine II a fantastic success.
AML: Kim, when we toured Animal Control a few weeks ago, I was really taken aback. I don’t know if you can put into words, for those who have not been there, the emotion that runs through the shelter. I was particularly moved by the positive, smiling volunteers. Talk about a group of very special people!
KW: I can’t stress enough that the volunteers are the lifeblood of a shelter. They are the ones that champion for the animals and work with them to give them the best chance of being adopted—who walk the dogs, who help market them to the public via a blog. That is why it is so important.
AML: I am very thankful to be working with you, Kim and up until about a month ago I had never even heard of ACCT. So, I hope that Be Mine really brings the work of the volunteers, the mission of Philadoptables, to many people.It’s a very sad situation, which most people will deduce from our conversation, but there is great hope for these animals now thanks to your board and the vision of Philadoptables!
KW: This is Philadelphia’s ‘best’ and ‘worst’ kept secret. ‘Best’ in the sense for whatever reason people just do not know about it. But, it is the ‘worst’ kept secret because they should know about it. This is the where the majority of adoptable animals across the Philadelphia region come. It truly is a treasure chest of awesome dogs and cats who would make amazing pets for thousands of families.
The ACCT shelter is located at 111 W. Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia, PA, 19140. They are open for adoptions 7 days a week! Adoption hours are: Monday through Thursday, 4 to 7 pm; Friday, 12 to 7 pm; and Saturday & Sunday, 12 to 5 pm. Visit philadoptables.blogspot.com for more info.
