Guest Blogger: Susan Kelly, Richmond Animal League (RAL)
(RICHMOND, VA) – Best In Show is the Richmond Animal League’s (RAL) campaign to raise money for the homeless animals in its care. All candidates vying for the title of Best In Show agree to utilize their leadership abilities to conduct their own fundraising campaigns for RAL. Every dollar counts as one vote. The candidate with the most votes is crowned Best In Show. This year, RAL’s goal is to raise $77,000 through Best In Show.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2009, Richmond Animal League held a Best In Show Kickoff Party at Texas de Brazil. With the Richmond Animal League’s Board of Directors, staff and community supporters present, the 2009 Best In Show fundraising candidates were introduced. Sunni Blevins, NBC12 reporter and weekend anchor, was also present to introduce the candidates:
Wendy Ashby, Ashby’s, Inc.
Wendy Ashby has been affiliated with Richmond Animal League since 1998, as a sponsor/donor/volunteer. Her tremendous love and a profound concern for the welfare of companion animals are the reasons she became involved, along with her husband Robert, with the Richmond Animal League.
Mary Leipertz, State Farm Insurance
Mary Leipertz was born in Pittsburgh (GO STEELERS!) and moved to the Northern Neck of Virginia in 1989. She moved to Richmond while attending Virginia Commonwealth University where she graduated with a degree in Mass Communications with a specialization in Public Relations. In 2004 she interned with RAL and upon graduation she was employed as Community Outreach Director.
Julie Mosey, Community Member
Julie grew up right here in the Richmond area. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Dental Hygiene. She practiced in the area for a few years and decided to make a career change into sales. For ten years, she worked in Dental Sales and then took on the hardest job of her life. She became a stay at home mom and she loves every minute.
Amanda Slone, Breathe Easy Decor
Amanda Slone is an interior decorator and co-owner of Breathe Easy Decor. While a student at the University of Virginia, Amanda and her mother Martha enrolled in the University of Richmond’s interior decorating program. After graduation, they formed a dynamic mother/daughter team, assisting clients with everything from window treatments and furniture arranging to Home Staging (for house sales) and redecorating with what they already have.
Chad Taylor, MetLife
Chad Taylor is a 24 year old who was born in the heart of Chesterfield. He attended Clover Hill High School where he went on to attend Hampden Sydney College. Chad has many interests such as hunting and fishing with his dad and brother, going to the river, spending time with his friends and family, and most importantly spending time with his 5 year old Golden Retriever Cooper.
Jen Towner , The New Mix 103-7
Jen is one of the Morning Show Hosts at Mix 103-7.com – she makes up half of Jack and Jen in the Morning. Jen has 20 + years of radio and media experience. In addition to being on-air, she has experience in production, advertising and marketing. Jen has been hosting mornings with Jack at Mix 103-7 for over 3 years. She has worked on-air in radio in cities throughout Michigan and Virginia.
Pete Wright, PW Photography
As a fourth-generation artist and a second-generation photographer, Pete Wright was raised in North Carolina in an environment rich in art and photography. His own photographs were first published in regional newspapers when he was 14 years old. In 1997, PW Photography’s first studio opened in Greenville, North Carolina. The following year the company moved to Richmond, Virginia.
Over the next ten weeks, the candidates will obtain corporate sponsorships and ads, solicit individual donations, gather auction items and sell tickets to the Best In Show Grand Finale – the conclusion of the fundraising campaign. The Grand Finale is being held on Friday, November 13, 2009 at Toad’s Plant Zero. The Grand Finale will be a night of cocktails, auction, dinner and a band – and the crowning of Best In Show. Tickets are $60 per person before October 30th and $75 afterwards. To purchase tickets, please call 804.379.0046 ext. 12 or email susan@ral.org.
For more information on Best In Show including candidate biographies and donation links, please visit www.ral.org/bestinshow.
RAL provides shelter and love to over 800 of companion animals each year until they can be adopted into permanent and loving homes. Richmond Animal League is the area’s oldest non-profit “no-kill” organization committed to reducing the homeless pet population in the Richmond area.
BARK Back Richmond
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