Annual fundraising event features dinner, live entertainment, luxury auction experiences, and a celebration of animal welfare
HART for Animals will host its “Black Tie & Tails” Gala on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Lodge at Wisp Resort, with Jared and Laura Fike serving as honorary chairs. The biennial event will feature dinner, live entertainment, a caricaturist, a wine pull, and silent and live auctions offering an exciting array of items and experiences, including luxury travel, a Hilton Head Island vacation home, rare tequila, and more. Proceeds will support HART’s mission to rescue, care for, and find loving homes for animals in need.
“Our galas are always filled with surprises, and this year’s is no exception,” says Jennifer Meyett, HART President. “Since 2003, HART has saved more than 15,978 dogs and cats through our programs. We are so fortunate to have Jared and Laura Fike as our honorary chairs.”
The Fikes have supported HART and its mission since the HART Animal Center opened in 2014. Their relationship with the organization began with their beloved Yorkies, Berkley and Frank, who received veterinary, grooming, and Bed ‘n Bark Inn services at HART. The couple also supported HART events and fundraisers. In 2018, they adopted their third Yorkie, Jack, from HART, completing their family of five.
“Having recently said goodbye to the last of our three little dogs, Jared and I are especially honored to serve as this year’s Black Tie & Tails Honorary Chairs in memory of our beloved boys and in support of an organization that has meant so much to our family over the years,” says Laura Fike.
“The evening is going to be the highlight of the holiday season,” says HART Executive Director Paula Yudelevit.
Guests will enjoy a cocktail hour featuring music by Terah Crawford, followed by dinner stations offering scallops, a carving station, a fall-inspired salad, a mashed potato bar, and more. Queen City Funk & Soul will take the stage for an evening of music and dancing.
The evening’s activities will also include a wine pull, a pet caricaturist, and silent and live auctions. Silent auction offerings will include luxury trips, artwork from local artisans, wine and spirits, and other unique items.
“The live auction is incredible,” says Yudelevit. Featured items include a Hilton Head Island rental home for 24 guests; a nine-year-old Comisario tequila, an exceptionally rare release that earned the prestigious Century Award and a remarkable 100-point rating, placing it among the world’s most acclaimed tequilas; a beekeeping experience from Appalachian Wax Works; and a whiskey barrel table complete with two bottles of Broken Arrow Whiskey.
Guests will also have the opportunity to “virtually” adopt some of HART’s adoptable dogs during the live auction. A pet caricaturist will also be available; advance reservations are encouraged because portraits are limited to approximately 40–50. Instructions on advance reservations will be emailed to all ticket purchasers prior to the gala.
“Our gala committee is stepping it up this year!” says Yudelevit. Committee members are Deb Alderson, Julie Stuck, Jennifer Meyett, Audrey Bird, Mirra Morris, Kate Buchanan, Lisa Walz, Teresa Titus-Howard, Cari Zbel, and Paula Yudelevit.
“We can’t do an event of this caliber without the generosity of our sponsors,” says Meyett. Gala sponsors include Dick and Deb Alderson, Stuck Energy, The Aarsand Family, Garrett Regional Medical Center, Mark’s Mocktails, Jared and Laura Fike, Wisp Resort, Bill’s Marine, Tequila Comisario, High Rock Vodka, Lion & Dove, Farmhouse Fete, Bill and Dana Alderson, Jon and Becca Alderson, Audrey Bird and Kyle Carsten, Kirk Petrovic, Kevin and Sydney Manning, Steve Richards and Paula Yudelevit, Jessica Fike Photography, and Terah Crawford.
HART’s charitable programs include animal rescue, adoption and sheltering, low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter services, veterinary care, and behavior modification. Caring for the 50 or more cats and dogs awaiting adoption costs an average of $20,000 per month, while adoption fees cover only a portion of their veterinary expenses. HART relies on donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events to sustain the Adoption Wing and provide animals with the care they need while they wait for loving homes.
Tickets for the “Black Tie & Tails” Gala are available online at hartanimals.betterworld.org/events/black-tie-tails.
For information about gala sponsorship opportunities or to learn how to support HART, contact Executive Director Paula Yudelevit at 301-387-7729 or paula@hartforanimals.org.
For more information about HART for Animals, the HART Animal Center, its programs, or ways to donate, visit www.hartforanimals.org or follow HART on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HARTforAnimals.
