What: Reigning Cats & Dogs Gala, presented by the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
When and where: Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center; tickets are $65 before Oct. 10, $75 after that date; call (916) 383-7387, ext. 9102, or e-mail azablah@sspca.org.
Need to know: With a theme of "Whisker Wonderland," the gala will feature food from more than 30 restaurants and an equal number of wineries and breweries, plus silent and live auctions and entertainment.
Purpose: To benefit the animals in the SSPCA's care. For more than 100 years, the Sacramento SPCA has provided shelter and care for homeless and unwanted animals, numbering more than 10,000 each year.
Featured volunteer: Jolene Tippett has volunteered countless hours at the SPCA, earning the title of cat socializer. "I had to give that up," said Tippett, who has adopted three cats. "I knew I would want to adopt even more."
Tippett does not confine her interest to cats. "I volunteer each year at the Doggy Dash and the telethon on CW31," said Tippett, who is employed by Vision Service Plan. "While the dogs are waiting for adoption, I sew bandannas, especially for special seasons and holidays."
There is more to Tippett's volunteer time. At the gala, she runs the gift basket section. And she is a member of the "book barn team" pricing books for the semi-annual sales.
When it comes to office work, she is there, too. "I assist the volunteer coordinator with clerical work by entering hours served into the database," said Tippett, who has started a computer file for each new volunteer.
Gloria Glyer focuses on events raising funds for charity. E-mail announcements four weeks in advance to gglyer@abbmail.com or send mail to Gloria Glyer, Features, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95822; call (916) 556-5619. Brief announcements may be submitted to www.sacbee.com/calendar.
