fundraising

Trig Modern Raises Nearly $5000 for SAFE Haven for Cats During “The Cat’s Meow” Auction

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The Dwell House by Grant Newton

Dubbed the “Dwell House,” a sleek composition of intersecting cubic volumes rendered in white laminate and natural wood, was one of six Modern cat houses created by architects and furniture designers to benefit SAFE Haven for Cats during The Cat’s Meow Cocktail Party and Auction sponsored by Trig Modern design center and showroom in Raleigh.

For the auction, the six imaginative houses were joined by a mixed-media painting by Louis St. Lewis of Raleigh and New Orleans, a large neon tabby cat sculpture perched on an old radio by neon artist Nate Sheaffer of Raleigh, and an iconic mid-century modern chair from Modernica donated by Trig Modern’s owner Bob Drake.

Under The Sea by i.S. Design

Approximately 100 cat enthusiasts attended The Cat’s Meow, along with

For Perching, Playing, and Napping by Little Associates.

two three-month-old kittens that SAFE Haven’s founder and director, Pam Miller, and a few volunteers brought to the event. Trig Modern provided an abundance of party food, wine, beer, and chilled water for the crowd as they perched on modern sofas and chairs throughout the showroom.

Mixed-media painting by Louis St. Lewis

With entertaining encouragement from professional auctioneer Ben Farrell, who donated his services to the cause, every item sold for prices that exceeded their designers’ expectations. Proceeds went directly to SAFE Haven for Cats in Raleigh, a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter and clinic that, to date, has found homes for nearly 8500 formerly stray and abandoned cats and kittens.

The auction itself netted $4525 with the “Dwell House” by Greensboro furniture designer Grant Newton commanding

The Cat Cave by Corey Baughman

the highest winning bid at $1150. Other donations brought in $274 and SAFE Haven sold $59 in retail items, making the grand total for the evening $4858.

Neon sculpture by Nate Shaeffer

“We want to thank Pam and the SAFE Haven volunteers; our delightful auctioneer Ben Farrell who made the auction entertaining as well as profitable; the architects, designers and artists who contributed their time and talent to the cause: and everyone who attended, especially all of the enthusiastic bidders,” said Bob Drake. “It was a wonderful evening and we’re looking forward to another Cat’s Meow next year.”

Background: This past February, Drake and Trig Modern’s interior designer Ann

Marie Baum, a SAFE Haven volunteer, invited architects and other designers throughout the Triangle to create “cool, modern” houses for indoor cats for the fundraising auction. According to guidelines, the houses had to be modern in style and of such quality that potential bidders would welcome them in their homes. They also had to be small enough to fit through a regular residential door and light enough for two people to carry them.

Multi-Use Play Tower by Arielle Condoret Schechter, AIA

The following designers created the cat structures:

The “O” by Bret Page Architecture

For more information on Trig Modern, visit www.trigmodern.com

For more information on SAFE Haven for Cats, visit www.safehavenforcats.org.

About Trig Modern:

Founded in December 2012, Trig Modern is owned and operated by furniture and lighting designer Bob Drake. Through its combination of modern and mid-century-inspired furniture, lighting, wall and floor coverings, and accessories, as well as Modern kitchen and bath remodeling services, Trig Modern’s mission is to present a realistic portrait of sensible living and offer an antidote to excess, formality, and convention. For more information, visit www.trigmodern.com, call 919.516.8744 and find Trig Modern on Facebook. The showroom is located at 1053 East Whitaker Mill Road, Suite 109, Raleigh, NC 27604.

About SAFE Haven for Cats:

SAFE Haven’s mission is to ensure the well-being of every cat through adoption, affordable spay/neuter services, community outreach and adherence to no-kill principles. The shelter receives no government funds and relies solely on private donations for 84% percent of its budget. Visit safehavenforcats.org for more information.

General Assembly Men’s Chorus Raises $15,000 For Pretty In Pink Foundation

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L-R: Warren Fuson, Penny Lauricella, Andy Lesperance

May 11, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – The General Assembly Men’s Chorus recently presented Pretty In Pink Foundation with a check for $15,000 following the chorus’ Spring benefit concert entitled “Harmony, Hope & Healing.”

Emceed by WRAL-TV’s anchor Debra Morgan, the concert was held at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts’ Meymandi Concert Hall, in April. General Assembly, the southeast’s premier men’s chorus and a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, designated the proceeds for Pretty In Pink Foundation, the only non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to underinsured and uninsured North Carolinians diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Our repertoire is full of emotional and heartfelt songs, but helping to save a cancer victim’s life is really something worth singing about,” said General Assembly president Warren Fuson.

The donation was raised through ticket sales and sponsorships. Sponsors for the event were Wake Radiology/Oncology, BD Technologies, Waverly Hematology/Oncology, Cancer Centers of NC (CCNC), Ellis & Winters LLP, First Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo Reverse Mortgage, Capitol Broadcasting Co., Itron, and Calvert Café.

“We were thrilled when the General Assembly chose Pretty in Pink Foundation as the recipient for the concert’s proceeds,” said Penny Lauricella, the Foundation’s executive director. “It was a wonderful evening and we are extremely grateful to the men who performed and everyone who attended.”

Fuson and Andy Lesperance of the General Assembly presented the check to Lauricella at Pretty In Pink Foundation’s Raleigh office.

For more information on The General Assembly Men’s Chorus, contact interest@GeneralAssemblyChorus.org, or call Andre Lesperance at 919-303-0284.

For more information on Pretty In Pink Foundation, visit www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org.

About Pretty In Pink Foundation:

Pretty In Pink Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial resources for uninsured and underinsured North Carolinians who are diagnosed with breast cancer and have limited financial means. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Lisa Tolnitch, a breast cancer surgeon, Pretty In Pink Foundation is positioned to have a point of presence in every state by 2020. Committed to providing hope, health and healing, Pretty In Pink Foundation has a growing network of healthcare professionals and quality of life partners. For more information on fundraising events, ways to help and how to become a volunteer, visit the website at www.PrettyInPinkFoundation.org, or join the Pretty In Pink Foundation Fan page on Facebook.