FOHA plans Sept. 18 riverfront fundraiser in Leesburg

Friends of Homeless Animals will host its annual Paws for a Celebration dinner on Sept. 18 at River Creek Club in Leesburg, with a goal of raising $80,000 for animal rescue care. Tickets and sponsorships are available through the shelter’s website.

Why it matters: - FOHA’s fundraiser is meant to underwrite medical care, training and shelter for homeless dogs and cats in Northern Virginia. - The event supports the shelter’s effort to keep animals safe while they wait for permanent homes. - Proceeds also connect FOHA’s local work to Virginia’s broader no-kill movement.

What happened: - Friends of Homeless Animals will host Paws for a Celebration on Friday, Sept. 18, from 7-9:30 p.m. at River Creek Club in Leesburg. - VIP guests can enter at 6:30 p.m. - FOHA set a fundraising goal of $80,000. - Tickets and sponsorship packages are available through FOHA’s event page.

The details: - The dinner will feature live music and stories of rescue from FOHA’s work. - The cocktail-attire event will include a chef-curated buffet, live and silent auctions and a raffle. - River Creek Club is located at 43800 Olympic Blvd, Leesburg, VA 20176. - FOHA described the event as its signature fundraising dinner. - The shelter said supporters who cannot attend can still help through a direct donation. - FOHA is a no-kill animal shelter serving Northern Virginia. - FOHA also operates The Treasure Hound Resale Shop in Chantilly, Virginia, with proceeds supporting the shelter’s mission.

Between the lines: - Executive Director Alison Mauroff said the event is intended to celebrate what the community makes possible for animals in need. - Mauroff said funds will go toward urgent medical care, training and shelter for dogs and cats waiting for a second chance. - Best Friends Animal Society says Virginia is on track to become the largest no-kill state in the country. - FOHA’s fundraiser appears positioned as both a local benefit and part of that statewide progress.

What's next: - FOHA will continue selling tickets and sponsorships ahead of the Sept. 18 event. - Additional support can still come in through donations from people who do not attend. - The shelter will use the money raised to support animals in its care until they are adopted.

The bottom line: - FOHA is betting that a single riverfront dinner can help fund the next round of rescue, treatment and adoption work for homeless animals in Northern Virginia.