Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that the Fur Ball Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, March 4 raised $20,000 for Volunteers for Animals, the Animal Shelter of Genesee County, the SPCA of Wyoming County & the SPCA of Niagara County. 

Over 70 baskets donated by local companies were raffled off to the more than 160 persons in attendance.  Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas took pictures with attendees while they enjoyed food and drink.  Attendees danced the night away as they enjoyed music from local DJ Marc Tillery.

Monies from the gala will be used by the charities to feed and support the hundreds of animals in their care.

“We are so appreciative to the local community for coming together in support of the Fur Ball Gala,” said Jacquelyne Leach, CFO for Western OTB / Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel and Jody Coffta, General Manager of Food & Beverage for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “We want to thank all the volunteers, not only from the local animal organizations but from our staff as well.  We would also like to thank the many vendors who donated food and beverages for this event and all the individuals and local businesses that contributed baskets for the successful raffle held. This was truly a great team effort.”

For those interested in getting involved with local animal organizations, information for each can be found here:

• Volunteers for Animals: https://www.vol4animals.org/
• Wyoming County SPCA: https://www.wyomingcountyspca.org/
• Niagara County SPCA: https://www.niagaraspca.org/

Submitted photos.

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that former Buffalo football legend and Hall of Famer, Thurman Thomas, will be attending the upcoming Fur Ball Gala Fundraiser set to take place at Batavia Downs on Saturday, March 4..

The Fur Ball Gala is a benefit to raise money for the Animal Shelter of Genesee County & SPCA of Wyoming County. The event runs from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. Tickets are $75, and attendees receive a buffet dinner, open bar, tastings, $50 in free play and access to a basket raffle with more than 40 items from Batavia Downs and other local businesses. Thurman will be on hand to take photos with all event attendees, and a DJ will be on-site as well.

There is a hotel package available - $275 plus tax includes two tickets to the event along with a hotel room for the night of the event.

To book tickets or the hotel package, interested persons can call Sara at 585-344-6155 to book now. Anyone that calls and reserves the hotel package will receive a free limited-edition Josh Allen bobblehead when they arrive on site that evening.

"We are so excited to host the first annual Fur Ball Gala," said Jacquelyne Leach, CFO for Western OTB/Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. "Raising money for local animal charities is near and dear to our hearts. We look forward to seeing everyone have a great time at the event alongside a Buffalo football Hall of Famer!"

The Fur Ball is the largest fundraiser for the VFA with proceeds going toward spays/neuters, medicine and the health care of the animals.

In addition, a portion of this year’s proceeds will be donated to an animal rescue program in the Bahamas. Parts of the Bahamas were devastated by Hurricane Dorian earlier this month with animal care shelters also bearing significant damage and loss.

The Fur Ball will feature food catered by Main Street Pizza Co. There will be 200+ baskets along with a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Ticket are $25. each (children 12 and under $15).

The volunteers will give a review of the past year’s work and programs as well as an update on the canine "graduates" from the Path to Home prison-based dog-training program.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

The VFA is a nonprofit group that works in partnership with the Genesee County Animal Shelter. For more information about Volunteers for Animals and the work they do please go to: www.vol4animals.org/

There will be food and beverages and basket raffles and silent auctions.

Tickets are $25; tickets for children 12 and under are $15. Tables of 10 are available for $250.

Make checks payable to: Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program. They can be mailed to: Volunteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia NY 14020

The Sacred Heart Social Center is located at 17 Sumner St.

The Volunteers for Animals is now accepting new items for the auctions/raffles for the Fur Ball. They can be left at the shelter during adoption hours.

The shelter is located at 131 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

Adoption hours are:

• Afternoons on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Also, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9
• CLOSED THURSDAYS
• Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

info@vol4animals.org

www.vol4animals.org

vfafurball@gmail.com

The hotel is located at 200 Oak St.

There will be food, fun, basket raffles and silent auctions.

Tickets are $25 each; tickets for children 12 and under are $15. A table of 10 -- with 10 seats -- costs $250.

The event is limited to 200 tickets.

Please make checks payable to: Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program.

They can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1621, Batavia NY 14021

Tickets are also available at the shelter.

Volunteers for Animals are now accepting new items for the Fur Ball raffle/auction. Items can be left at the shelter during adoption hours.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia. You can drop new auction items off this week during shelter adoption hours.

Adoption hours are:

Monday and Tuesday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday -- 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

CLOSED THURSDAYS.

Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

The Fur Ball begins at 6 p.m. at the Days Inn in Batavia on Saturday, Oct. 22. The Days Inn is located at 202 Oak St.

The Fur Ball will feature food, fun, surprises, stupendous desserts and auctions!

Cost is $25 for adults; children 12 and under are $15; tables of 10 are $250. Limited to 200 attendees.

Tickets are $25. Children 12 and under, $15. Tables of 10 are $250.

Only 200 tickets will be sold.

Fur Ball features food, fun, auctions and surprises.

New items are being accepted for the auction. You can drop them off at the shelter during adoption hours.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main Street Road, Town of Batavia.

Adoption Hours:

Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri  --  1 - 3 p.m.
Wednesday  -- 1 - 3  & 7 - 9 p.m.
Saturday  --  11a.m. - 1 p.m.

Email Volunteers for Animals at:   info@vol4animals.org
Phone:  585-343-6410 (phone)

Expect great food, lots of fun, quality auction items and some surprises, too!

Tickets are $25 each, but $50 if purchased the day of the event. Children 12 and under pay $15. A table of 10 seats is $250. Only 200 tickets are available.

Make checks payable to the Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program.

The volunteers and event coordinators are accepting NEW items for the auction. You can drop them off at the animal shelter on West Main Street Road during adoption hours, or drop them an e-mail if you need them picked up. (www.vol4animals.com)

Adoption hours are:

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday -- 1 to 3 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Closed Thursday

The 11th annual Fur Ball will be held this Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Days Inn in Batavia. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and there will be lots of food, surprises and auctions.

This year's theme is "Shelter Pets are Pawsitively Purrfect."

Tickets are $25. ($50 if purchased the day of the event). Children 12 and under are $15. A table for 10 is $225.

Proceeds benefit the Volunteers for Animals Spay and Neuter Program.

Make checks out to:  Volunteers for Animals - Spay/Neuter Program.

The Days Inn is located at 200 Oak St.

To contact Volunteers for Animals:

info@vol4animals.org

www.vol4animals.org

(585) 813-3839

P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, NY 14021

It is located at 8250 Park Road in Batavia.

The public is invited to attend and enjoy desserts and refreshments with friends.

There will be oodles of fun, including a Chinese auction, door prizes, raffles, including a 50/50 and special ones to win a cat tree and a wireless "invisible" fence.

Tickets are $20 in advance for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. ALL tickets cost $25 each at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, 3841 W. Main St. Road in Batavia.

All proceeds go to spay and neuter dogs and cats before adoption. Last year, the event raised $5,000 for this purpose.

For more information, contact the Volunteers for Animals at www dot vol4animals dot org or phone 409-4309.