By Janet McAfee
You are invited! On Sunday, February 7, people and pups converge at the Empire Polo Club in Indio for the fourth annual FAITH, HOPE & PUPS event. Animal lovers will be greeted and escorted to their tables by charming rescue dogs seeking homes. Guests will be treated to a fabulous brunch, tray-passed cocktails, and a live auction with incredible items. The highlight of the day arrives when the beautiful horses prance out to the field for two exciting polo matches.
Bianca Rae, KESQ News Anchor, conceived the idea of FAITH, HOPE & PUPS 4 years ago. She became involved in animal rescue in 2012 when she adopted her precious Spaniel mix dog, Jack, from the now closed Indio Animal Shelter. She formed the Bianca Rae Foundation to provide a “voice for the voiceless” providing programs for children in need and homeless animals. Bianca Rae explains, “I have a platform to influence people through the media. Everyone has a purpose and a story to tell, and my story involves how getting a shelter dog can change your life. I wanted to do something outside the box to get more homes for these animals. The Empire Polo Club is a beautiful venue to showcase these dogs and tell their stories including their hopes for a loving home. We invite other animal welfare groups to participate with the goal of making our community a “no kill” Coachella Valley. By working together, we can all do more.” To learn more visit www.bianceraefoundation.org.
The Bianca Rae Foundation designates different animal welfare organizations as beneficiaries and partners at every yearly event. The proceeds from this year’s event benefit the Bianca Rae Foundation, Loving All Animals, and the Living Free Animal Sanctuary.
Loving All Animals’ mission is to join with other local and national animal welfare organizations to maximize programs to stop the euthanasia of adoptable animals. This group is building an extensive foster program where shelter animals can be assessed, socialized, and vetted while they prepare for their adoptive homes. Their S.O.S. program, Seniors Offering Shelter, matches up retired citizens with a wonderful foster animal. Loving All Animals hosts an annual Wizard of Oz themed Super Pet Adoption Fair hosting over 50 animal welfare groups. President and founder Lindi Biggi is thrilled to be included in this year’s event, commenting, “This is a beautiful example of community collaboration when three local nonprofits join hands to benefit homeless animals.” Contact Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000.
Living Free is a 153-acre idyllic sanctuary and adoption center for homeless animals located in Mountain Center near Idyllwild. Their mission is to rescue dogs and cats running out of time in public shelters facing euthanasia. The organization pulls many animals from our Riverside county shelter in Thousand Palms, the Coachella Valley Anima Campus. They recently rescued their first wild mustang named Libby, and plans are in the works to expand their horse rescue program. Executive Director Randall Harris states, “Living Free is grateful to be partnering with two other rescue groups. We want people to know that donations we receive help rescue animals here in our Coachella Valley as well as adjoining areas. We are actively involved in the rescue of mother and underage puppies.” For more information about Living Free, contact (951) 659-4687 or www.living-free.org.
Tickets are $95 per person. Reception with cocktails is at 10:00 am with brunch at 12:00 noon. The Empire Polo Club is located at 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio (Entry at Avenue 50). To order tickets call Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000 or order online at www.lovingallanimals.org. Guests are encouraged to wear black and white. Enjoy a fun filled day, support these worthy charities, and maybe meet your new best “furfriend”.
Jmcafee7@verizon.net
