Picasso Pets, Hand in Paw’s annual gala and live auction, was a great success once again! The Wild Woof West-themed event, held on August 17, 2024, at The Harbert Center brought together over 325 guests and raised over $350,000 to support Hand in Paw's mission of providing Animal-Assisted Therapy to those in need. Picasso Pets is Hand in Paw’s single largest annual revenue source, allowing us to offer our programs free of charge to the communities and Program Partners we serve.
The night was filled with heartwarming moments celebrating the bond between humans and animals. There was a special, early-arrival Experience for our VIPs, a lovely, seated dinner, and a program highlighting Hand in Paw's impactful work in the community. Guests also enjoyed Tito's Vodka cocktails, a photo booth, a wine pull, live and silent auctions, and the unveiling of this year's Picasso Pets paintings. And of course, everyone had the chance to interact with incredible Hand in Paw Therapy Teams!
At the event, the Tweety Lasker Award, which is given to a Program Partner where our work has been especially impactful this year, was presented to the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Birmingham. The VA Center has been a Hand in Paw Program Partner for several years. Guests enjoyed a short film created by former Visit Assistant Robert Clay, showcasing the collaboration between Hand in Paw and the VA. Charly Murphree, chief nurse in Acute Care, accepted the award on behalf of the VA.
Additionally, the inaugural Margaret Davis Service Award was given to Ronnie McBride, a faithful Hand in Paw volunteer who has been a Therapy Team with his dog Kenzi since 2020. Ronnie accumulated more than 300 volunteer hours over the past 12 months. This award was named after Margaret Davis, a beloved Hand in Paw supporter and board member, and founder of Creative Dog Training, who passed away earlier this year.
We deeply appreciate the generosity and investments in our mission from our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and all our supporters. Thanks to events like Picasso Pets, we can continue making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve in Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa, all at no cost to our Program Partners.
VP Funds was the presenting sponsor for this year’s gala. Other top sponsors include Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Medical Properties Trust, John 3:16, Dr. Jim and Katie Lasker, Cameron and Scott Vowell, Land Rover Birmingham, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, UAB Medicine, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Fi Plan Partners, George W. Barber, Jr. Foundation, Lynn and Benny LaRussa, Kay Aldridge, Birmingham Lifestyle magazine, Southern Company, Southern Power, Hot and Hot Fish Club, and OvenBird.
This article was written by Caroline Bundy.
