A casino-themed fundraising gala comes to Celina on Saturday, Nov. 14, when Donkey & Equine Haven holds its "Casino for a Cause" event at The Venue at Waterstone.
The evening starts at 6 p.m. at 10455 Co Rd 133. The organization says the event will include casino-style gaming, food and music. The Haven says every dollar donated goes directly to rescuing and rehabilitating equines, according to the nonprofit's website.
General admission tickets cost $150. Sponsorship packages range from $500 for a blackjack table to $10,000 for the top-tier "Guardian of the Herd" level. The $5,000 "Sanctuary Sponsor" package is already sold out.
Donkey & Equine Haven is a registered 501(c)(3) charity based in Celina. It is completely volunteer-operated.
Founder Karla Vargas started the Haven in 2009 after taking in her first donkey, an animal named Dixie, according to the organization's website. Since then, thousands of donkeys and other equines have passed through the rescue on their way to permanent homes.
The nonprofit rescues equines from what it calls the slaughter pipeline and provides refuge for animals obtained through law enforcement seizures. It also takes in equines from physically infirm owners, families of people who have died and financially distressed owners who can no longer care for their animals.
Vargas discussed the gala and the Haven's mission in a Nov. 7 episode of the Celina Radio podcast.
Tickets and sponsorship details are available on Givebutter.
Upcoming community events:
- Saturday, Nov. 14: Donkey & Equine Haven "Casino for a Cause" gala, 6 p.m., The Venue at Waterstone, 10455 Co Rd 133, Celina. Tickets start at $150.
