By Norma Schwartzberg
How fun is attending a gala with your furry friend? Lots of fun! Once again PAWS had its fundraiser gala which always takes place in Spring, at the Monarch Rooftop in Midtown Manhattan with incredible views of the city. Even though the weather was not our friend that night, lots of human and animal friends got together at this annual charity event organized by PAWS NYC. The fun evening started with a cocktail reception and finger “bites” including pizza, spring rolls, passing hors d'oeuvres featuring crab-cakes, chicken quesadillas, mini tacos, and more. Top shelf open bar for human attendees 21 years old and over, fresh water for furry attendees. An exciting silent auction items such as tickets to the Daily Show, US Open 2025, Watch What Happens Live, Jets vs Bills game, American Ballet Theater, Loews Hotel stay, Two Hour Makeup Lesson, Lion King on Broadway, JetBlue, Five Iron Golf, New York Mets, and care services for pets such as Foster Care, Life-Saving Care, Daily Care Support, etc.
(see images at the end)
During this casual gala but fantastic one, two volunteers were honored, Isabel Klee and Jacob Zerhusen for their commitment and dedication to PAWS organization. These outstanding individuals represent what the organization is all about helping people by helping pets since many individuals who love their pets are forced to give up their beloved furry friends as a result of physical disability, lack of time or money to take care of them. PAWS is helping people to keep their animals by giving them a hand or “a paw” by walking dogs, feeding their pets, doing groceries for them, etc. This labor of love is greatly rewarded, and makes a huge impact on people and animals. Nobody wants to give up an adorable friend just because there are obstacles on the way. New York City is one of largest (perhaps the largest) city in the world where more than half of the population have pets either cats or dogs and birds of any kind, New Yorkers need help and support from organizations like PAWS that understand the need to keep their pets rather to place them in a shelter where after two weeks or so have to be killed in order to keep the shelter population down as possible. From Manhattan to Queens from Staten Island to Brooklyn and Roosevelt Island, people enjoy the company of a furry friend that in many cases are considered part of the family. The live auction took place around 8 pm hosted by Annie Phaosawasdi who started with the large and expensive items going down to the less expensive, and at the end the cash donations were a hit. Many people raised their hands to donate anything from $50 dollars to $500 dollars!!! Large number of winners went home with physical prizes and/or certificates for any kind of entertainment and trips. The night wasn't over just yet so guests were still having drinks and conversation with their fellow animal lovers. The weather got better as the night was falling, inviting people to have the last drink at the uncovered portion of the bar admiring the beautiful tall buildings in Manhattan, not to mention the Empire State Building which is located very close to Monarch. Once again PAWS had a very successful fundraiser to continue with its great work. They raised $100.000!
For more information go to www.pawsny.org
Rachel Herman
Founder and Executive Director
Honorees
Jacob Zerhusen and Isabel Klee
The silent auction with great items for humans and furry friends.
Furry attendees and their human companions
Human attendees enjoying themselves
"The Necklace of Generosity"
Attendees who participated in the live auction, as a symbol of gratitude, PAWS gave this lighting necklace in heart shape to make the experience more fun!
