On Friday, April third, the McKamey Animal Shelter shall be internet hosting its annual black-tie fundraiser and charity occasion, The MAC Gala, on the Westin Hotel in Chattanooga.
The Gala is devoted to bringing animal lovers collectively throughout the group for an evening of enjoyable and mission-driven work, with funds going to assist the nonprofit that rescues and gives great take care of animals.
While every year’s theme is totally different, this yr’s theme is “Gimme Shelter,” reflecting the mission of the nonprofit, with rock ‘n’ roll black tie apparel being required. There shall be music by Chattanooga’s premier Rolling Stones cowl band, the Strolling Bones, a snuggle lounge the place one can undertake the puppies and kittens afterwards, complimentary valet parking, an open bar, a scrumptious three-course meal, a silent public sale with cellular bidding for greater than 100 objects, complimentary flash tattoos, and far more.
In talking with Mary Klinghard, director of philanthropy for the McKamey Animal Center, she mentioned how the funds raised from the gala will influence the animals and packages on the shelter.
“This yr, we’re highlighting the work of our MAC CARES Center, situated throughout the Metropolitan Ministries’ Impact Hub on Rossville Boulevard. While we offer shelter for animals at MAC, we all know that the very best shelter is usually the house {that a} pet already is aware of and loves. That sort of residence might look totally different for individuals and their pets who’re going via difficult instances; it could be a tent, a pal’s sofa, or a automobile.
The MAC CARES Center is a useful resource for a few of the lowest-income households in our group to get assist caring for his or her pets. Last yr, the MAC CARES Center distributed greater than 69 tons of pet meals and stuffed greater than 436,000 pet bowls. In many instances, this help permits households to maintain their animals, stopping them from ever needing to enter the shelter system.”
Klinghard went on to debate how native involvement from volunteers, donors, sponsors, and committee members has formed the success of the gala over time.
“We really rely on the assist of our group to hold out these occasions every year. Our Gala Committee, led by Dr. Jessica and Kyle Bianco, performs an important position in bringing this occasion to life. Our sponsors have allowed us to offer an incredible expertise for our visitors, and practically 100 native companies have supported the occasion via donations of things for use for our reside and silent public sale.
And most significantly, dozens of volunteers and MAC employees members have supported this occasion from the starting stage all the best way to clean-up throughout occasion night time, every utilizing their distinctive skills to assist the occasion.”
The Gala was voted Chattanooga’s Best of the Best Fundraising Event in 2025, serving as one of many largest within the metropolis, with this gala being the shelter’s greatest fundraiser of the yr.
When requested in regards to the shelter’s long-term objectives and the way they plan to evolve the black-tie occasion within the subsequent few years, Klinghard advised that they’re all the time trying to increase and evolve in response to the wants of the group.
“We are all the time on the lookout for methods to increase our attain and join with new audiences whereas persevering with to have interaction our longtime supporters. The Gala will proceed to evolve as we introduce new concepts and reply to the altering wants of our group.
We have a number of occasions all year long that supporters can have interaction with, relying on their pursuits, together with our FORE The Animals Golf Tournament within the fall and Paw Palooza, a group occasion every summer time in Coolidge Park.”
The MAC Gala