Events to benefit SPCA

Published 9:29 am Wednesday, November 29, 2017

The Southside SPCA will be holding the sixth annual Holiday Donation Drive on Saturday and Sunday. According to Steve Smelcer, fundraising coordinator for the Southside SPCA, the event Saturday will take place from 8 p.m.-midnight at the Fuqua Lower School, which is located at 605 Fuqua Drive in Farmville.

The event Saturday will include cocktails, appetizers and live music. Smelcer said there will be a silent and live auction that evening, and there will be an open bar provided by Tito’s Vodka.

He said Saturday there is a fee, but Sunday is a free event.

“You can get tickets at BrownPaperTickets. com just search the Southside SPCA or you can go to the Sleeping Bee in Farmville to purchase your tickets,” Smelcer said.

Sunday’s event will take place at the Hampton Inn located at 300 Sunchase Drive in Farmville from 1-6 p.m.

“We’re going to have digital pet photos by Prettiest Things Photography with Santa Claus,” Smelcer said. “We’re going to have Taylor Rodriguez who is one of the top 20 Elvis Presley tribute artists in the world performing.”

He said there will also be raffles, donation drop-off and guest speakers including Captain Tami Gray of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, a silent auction and a presentation from a Banfield Pet Hospital veterinarian.

Smelcer said the event is sponsored by Haley Auto Mall and the events will be held in memory of Leo McCormick.

“All the proceeds will be donated to the Southside SPCA in his memory,” Smelcer said.

Smelcer said McCormick was one of the top sales people at the Haley Auto Mall and was instrumental in bringing the partnership together between Haley Auto Mall and the Southside SPCA.

This year is the second year the Southside SPCA has partnered with Haley Auto Mall.