The Mower County Humane Society would like to thank all who supported the annual pasta dinner and auction fundraiser on Feb. 22 at the Holiday Inn in Austin.

This year’s event raised $17,000 which will be used for operating expenses in 2015. Special thanks to the more than 50 volunteers of all ages who made this event a success. We would also like to thank all of our local area businesses who supported us with their generous donations to this event—please shop here first and support them for the way they give back to our community!

Thank you for the generous contributions from: Austin Holiday Inn, Ruth Wunderlich, Double K Grooming, Double K Specialty, Ed’s South Main Auto, Medgaarden’s SW Sales, Lisa & John Dockstader, Shear Design, HyVee Regal Liquor, Echo Lanes, Pizza Ranch, Casey’s General Store, Wangen Auto, Bell Liquor, Godfather’s Pizza, Austin Veterinary Clinic, Steve’s Pizza, Austin Art Center, Walmart, Hanson Tire, Hormel Nature Center, Diane’s Salon Classics, Hardy Geranium, Hormel Foods Corp., Twice as Nice, B & J Bar and Grill, Kwik Trip, Donut Connection, Main Street, Austin Bruins, Rydjor Bike, Essence, Super Fresh Produce, Stuttgart Tan & Travel, Minnesota Vikings, Golden Tress, Bob & Ginny Riege, Annette & Kurt Mueller, Jay Lutz & Kelly Rush, Mona & Don Rush, Lisa & Mark White, Robin & Rob Hanson, Veterinary Medical Hospital, Austin Fire & Safety, Coffee House on Main, Wanda Pollitt, LeeAnn Schafer, Sears- the Hometown Store, Willow Cove, Betty O’Brien, Colleen Weimer, Karen Walk, Uptown Hair, Everything Hobby, Sun Tan Place, Top Ten Nails, Curves, Trimbles, Applebee’s, 1910 Restaurant, Stacy Rowbal, Austin Medical Center, Mapleview Lounge, Main Street Dental – Blooming Prairie, Amy Cooper, Jamie Jacobson, Trudy and Jessica Enger, Julaine Rush, Nini Johnson, Richard Guckson, Jacob Gehling and Ros Trotterchaude, Jeremy O’Rourke, Barry Rush, Mari Jo Stanek, Colleen Weingman, Jill Weikum, Amy Lonigan, David & Kathy Borchardt, Charmaine Raber, Virginia Dunlap, Jill Wedeking, Dayle Wedeking, Pam Apold, Mary Mueller, Kathleen Sherman, P&D Originals, Jan Gordon, Cedar Gallery, Marnie Cowell, Sharon Watkins, Alyssa Hinds, Family Video, Jim’s Super Value, David & Peggy Olson, Pam Jacobson, Andy Gray, Tammie Braaten, Dwayne Charnecki, Keepsake Quilters of Austin, and any others we may have missed.

Thanks to Terese Amazi, Rachel Wick, and Austin Bruins players Zach Kennedy, Jakob Kullberg, Braeden Wahl, and Jade Miller for serving the meal. Thanks to the Austin High School National Honor Society and Ellis Middle School Student Council and all other Friends of the Humane Society that helped staff the event. Thanks to Sue Hays, Barry Rush, and Bill Apold for the musical entertainment.

And also, many thanks to Al Smith, Auctioneer and Wendy Arnett for the great live auction! Mark your calendars for next year’s event on Feb. 28, 2016.

Jay Lutz,

Mower County Humane Society secretary