About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (July 24, 2025)
» Your hometown newspaper since 1861 The Tatonton Messenger THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | C3 LOHS readies for ‘Wine, Wags, and Whiskers' Lake Oconee Humane Society (LOHS) is preparing to host its 4th annual “Wine, Wags, and Whiskers” fundraiser. The event will take place 6-9:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Festival Hall in Greens boro, featuring wine tast ings, live music, and silent and live auctions. The nonprofit celebrates its 26th anniversary this year, and board members believe this year has been “busier than usual,” due to recent services being added. They hope the event can spread aware ness of their services to the community, beyond animal adoptions. “We had a more concert-like atmosphere last year, and were going back to what we had done in the past and just make it more of a social gath ering with the same silent and live auction,” LOHS Board President Barbara Gniewek said. “We’re excited about it. It’s a new place [for Wine, Wags, and Whiskers’], and we also have a new caterer (Metropolis).” During the event auctions, LOHS will offer various items such as gift baskets, certificates, and multiple “high-value items.” Event wine will be provided by Rescue Dog Wines, a business that donates half its profits directly to shelter organizations. The proceeds from the “Wine, Wags, and FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 Whiskers” fundraiser will go toward funding various LOHS services, including a spay-and-neuter clinic, a trap-neuter-return program, and a pet food distribution program. According to Gniewek, the shelter opened its low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic in June, and it will be the focus of the upcoming fundraiser. LOHS previously sent animals to the Athens, Madison, and Atlanta areas for the procedures. “We got an incredible opportunity, and a volun teer vet came over and said he wanted to leave his job,” Gniewek said. “We talked to all the other rescue agencies, and we figured out a way, and now we are altering the world around here.” With the recent addition of the spay-and- neuter clinic, LOHS now treats approximately 60 to 100 animals weekly onsite with surgeries. Before the low-cost clinic opened, LOHS was sending animals to various loca tions for only about 10 to 12 surgeries per week. “We were doing low-cost spay and neuter, but we were sending them out to do them,” LOHS Executive Director Diane Robinson said. “Doing it in-house, we’re able to do a lot more with a lower expense. Overall, the LOHS board hopes the “Wine, Wags, and Whiskers” event will help decrease euthanasia, while also spreading awareness of LOHS services. The Lake Oconee Humane Society is a “no-kill” shelter, though board members maintain Georgia remains “one of the worst states in the country” for euthanasia rates. “This unforgettable evening is not only a cele bration of community and compassion, but a lifeline for hundreds of animals who depend on us for shelter, medical care, and a second chance at life,” Robinson added. For tickets and event information, visit lohs- pets.org/wine25. To donate items for the auction or for any ques tions, email LOHS at marketing@lohspets.org. — Contributed $ 3,000.00 & "T. Lake Oconee Elks Lodge #2849 ■econd Harvest ee-T Pets of the Week LAKE OCONEE HUMANE SOCIETY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A LIFE Shaggy Winky LO Elks sponsor Second Harvest Twenty-nine Lake Oconee Elks Lodge volunteers attended a food distribution Saturday, July 19, for Second Harvest, a project of the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Coun ties. Its mission is to eliminate hunger in Putnam, Greene, and Taliaferro counties. To date, Second Harvest and its volunteers have distributed more than two-million pounds of food. Addition ally, the Oconee Regional Humane Society also participates to distribute pet food and supplies. The Lake Oconee Elks Lodge has many volunteers known as “Red Shirts” who also attend and help distribute food each month and have been doing so for many years. For July, the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge presented a check for $3,000 to Second Harvest. Attending the presen tation were (l-r): Elk Bob Colie, Second Harvest President Bill Bonnington, Elks Dom Serra and Mary Zachary, and Elks Lodge President John White. — Contributed alliance kW PREMIER HOME P LAND GROUP KELLERWILLIAMS. Proudly Presents TEAM MEMBER OF THE MONTH JUNE: SAYWARD JOHNSON Alliance Home & Land Group is thrilled to announce Sayward Johnson as our June Agent of the Month! 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