Luau brightens up recent St. Croix Animal Friends event

• Dancers at Hawaiian-themed fundraiser for St. Croix Animal Friends

Dressed in Hawaiian style shirts, dresses and donning “flower” leis, guests stepped out on the dance floor at the Valley House during the St. Croix Animal Friends luau-themed fundraiser. Submitted photos
• Hawaiian dancers Gloria Sloan and Bobbe Norenberg

Hawaiian dancers Gloria Sloan, River Falls, and Bobbe Norenberg, Twin Cities Metro area, performed six authentic dances for the crowd of 200 at the annual St. Croix Animal Friends fundraiser. Joining them as narrator was Denise Young of Hudson.

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The Valley House, complete with palm trees and beach scenes, was turned into a Pacific paradise for one night. The hard work by members of the St. Croix Animal Friends converted the banquet room into a festive atmosphere in keeping with the new Hawaiian luau theme for its annual fundraising dinner and dance.

Two hundred tickets were sold for the 2012 event held March 31. Guests were entertained by a trio of Hawaiian dancers from Halau Hula ‘O Napunaheleonapua, a hula school based in Hawaii with branches in Japan and Minneapolis. They presently offer lessons in River Falls and Maple Grove, Minn. They will be performing at the Hudson band shell on June 14 at 7:15 p.m. A troupe of performers from UW-River Falls performed songs from the musical South Pacific. The evening also included a silent auction and raffle.

“It was totally awesome,” said Diana Neubarth, president of St. Croix Animal Friends. “I think people are finally beginning to realize what we are about.” It was the largest turnout in the history of the event.

St. Croix Animal Friends’ vision includes the following: to promote a positive relationship between animals and people through education and community programs; to provide animals with a compassionate experience in a temporary residence and and to assist them in finding their forever home.

Their mission includes these goals: To offer a safe refuge, nourishment and opportunity for a better life for unwanted, abused or injured animals; to promote responsible pet ownership through humane education and spay/neuter programs in the area; to work to unite lost animals with owners and place unwanted animals in caring homes; to build communication and community support so people will value animals and treat them with kindness and respect; to provide care and respect through the life and death of the animal using qualified veterinary professionals.

For more information about St. Croix Animal Friends and how you can help, go to www.stcroixanimalfriends.org

Tags: arts and entertainment, saint croix county, lifestyle, entertainment