Friday Harbor, WA — The Animal Protection Society–Friday Harbor welcomed supporters to its first major fundraising event held on the shelter grounds for the Paw BQ Summer Gala, an evening celebrating the pets, people, programs, and community partnerships that make APS-FH’s work possible.
With beautiful summer weather, live music by Seagrass, Texas barbecue, cocktails, and the shelter grounds transformed for the occasion, guests gathered for an evening that was both festive and meaningful.
Throughout the event, APS-FH staff shared stories and highlights from the organization’s many programs and services—from sheltering, adoption, foster care, and lifesaving transport to low-cost veterinary services, behavior and education programs, and resources that help families keep the pets they love.
The presentations received a little extra help from Skipper, the APS-FH mascot, who served as the evening’s enthusiastic—and occasionally mischievous—microphone courier.
For many guests, the Paw BQ also provided an opportunity to see the shelter and learn more about how APS-FH has grown beyond its traditional role as an animal shelter. Today, the organization provides a wide range of services supporting homeless pets, local pet families, and the broader island community.
The evening concluded with guest speaker Rock Sorensen, who invited attendees to help sustain that work into the future. The generosity of guests at the event—as well as supporters who contributed even though they were unable to attend—made the evening an extraordinary success.
APS-FH extends its deepest gratitude to Paw BQ Committee Co-Chairs Vickie Shilton and Barbara Von Gehr, along with committee members Peggy Beller, Ann McCague, Linda Pollard, and Claudia Salquist, and ad hoc members Martha Salot and Patt Aiello, whose months of planning brought the event to life. Special thanks also go to Ann McCague for the abundance of beautiful flowers that helped transform the shelter grounds.
The event was generously underwritten by Don Pollard and David Ralston, Linda Chowdry, and the APS-FH Board of Directors, allowing funds raised through the Paw BQ to directly support APS-FH’s programs and operations.
APS-FH is also grateful to the many local businesses and individuals who contributed to the success of the evening, including Seagrass for providing the evening’s wonderful live music; San Juan Island Brewing Co. and Jake and Sean for donated beer; Smugglers Cove Flagging and owner and founder Vicki Hebert for helping create a safe and smooth parking experience; and Rick Frasier for donating the equipment and expertise that provided the evening’s sound system.
Special thanks also go to the event’s vendors and community partners: Shindigs; Bewitched Events and Bartending; PJ’s Texas BBQ; Downriggers; San Juan Septic; Evergreen Landscaping and Maintenance, which provided additional landscaping and potted flowers for the occasion; and Beben Sanjaya of Java Window Cleaning for helping the shelter shine before guests arrived.
A very special thank you goes to the many APS-FH volunteers who gave their time and energy throughout the day—helping transform the shelter grounds for the Paw BQ, welcoming and assisting guests during the event, and assisting afterward to help with cleanup. Their willingness to pitch in wherever needed was an essential part of making the evening such a success.
And at the heart of the evening were the APS-FH staff, who stepped out of their everyday roles to share their expertise, enthusiasm, and firsthand knowledge of the pets and families they serve.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make our first Paw BQ at the shelter such a memorable evening,” said APS-FH Executive Director Cristin Felso. “It was wonderful to welcome our community into this beautiful space, celebrate what we have accomplished together, and share how much our work has grown. Most of all, we are grateful for the generosity that allows APS-FH to continue caring for pets, supporting families, and responding wherever we can make a difference.”
The Paw BQ may have been APS-FH’s first gala held at the shelter, but thanks to an extraordinary team of sponsors, committee members, volunteers, staff, local businesses, and generous supporters, it was an evening to remember.
About Animal Protection Society–Friday Harbor
The Animal Protection Society–Friday Harbor provides shelter and care for cats and dogs, helps them find loving homes, and offers programs and services supporting pets and families throughout the island community.
For more information about APS-FH, its programs, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support its work, visit apsfh.com.