More than 425 people got their “First Look” at the new McKamey Animal Care Center and raised $85,000 for the new facility.
The event led by Honorary Chairs F. Laurens and Megan Brock and General Chair Ann Ball featured docent-guided, behind-the-scenes tours and a silent auction.
The 26,000-square-foot center is described as "the first-ever comprehensive animal care center in the city’s history." The center has numerous sustainable design elements that make it a “green” building, thus reducing the environmental footprint of the building.
In keeping with the “green” aspect of the center, the silent auction was headlined by a new 2008 Toyota Prius donated by Capitol Toyota.
In addition to the Prius, other items that sold were a shopping spree from Embellish, two 50-yard-line tickets to a Miami Dolphins game, diamond jewelry, dinner for six at the Bald Headed Bistro in Cleveland, and a highly prized original oil by noted New York artist Hunt Slonem.
The center is set to open in July.
Before the event, Congressman Zach Wamp’s office presented a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol. The flag now flies at the center on the First Tennessee Bank flag pole.
In addition to local residents, out of town visitors, representatives from numerous local businesses, officials from city and county government along with Chamber officials toured the facility and enjoyed food from caterer Lee Towery, music by Dan Landrum and the Chattanooga Jazz Quartet and flowers by Jeffrey Dendy. Attendees at the event left with one of the Center’s signature “Get A Life!” car magnets that promote adoption.