Palm Aire Country Club hosted Opera for Animals Saturday.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 7:02 p.m. January 16, 2016
East County
Neighbors
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It's hard to resist a four-legged greeter for a black-tie event.
Greyhound retirees Buddy and Gracie with the Racing Dog Retirement Project and kittens from Cat Depot greeted attendees of Opera is for Animals: Singing is Saving (Oasis) 14th annual fundraiser at Palm Aire Country Club Saturday, Jan. 16. Oasis has donated $750,000 to animal awareness causes over the last 14 years thanks to the funds raised at the annual dinner and opera concert.
Co-founders Carol Sparrow and Randolph Locke are both international opera singers with a love for animals.
"If you have a love and a passion and a talent, you give what you have," Sparrow said. "If someone would pay me to sit at home at pet cats, I would!"
Buddy the retired racing greyhound greets attendees in a dapper hat and donation vest.
Bob O'Connell, Lynne Bennett, Edeli O'Connell, and Bob Bennett of Palm Aire
Camden McLean, one of the concert singers, holds Tang from Cat Depot while Nancy Adamo of Cat Depot pets him.
Angelique and Jared Chromy of Sarasota
Johanna Fincher and James Hyde with Sarasota Voice Academy were singers during the concert.
Chris Leis, left, and Randolph Locke pet Tang the kitten.
On his way to dinner with his wife, Jane, Chuck Hofius pets Gracie and Buddy, with Gerri Harrison and Kathy Pontillo with the Racing Dog Retirement Project.
Co-founders Carol Sparrow, her husband Randolph Locke and Tang from Cat Depot
Brinton Smith and Mellonie Smicklas check out the silent auction items. The two Oasis supporters designed the table settings for the event.
Nicholas Gambardella, a Sarasota Pops Orchestra, entertained attendees with music before the concert.
Tang from Cat Depot greeted guests to the Opera for Animals fundraiser.
