Ridgefield Operation For Animal Rescue Announces Gala Honorees

**News Release Submitted by Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue**

Aug. 28, 2024

Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (ROAR) will host its annual gala and fundraising event on September 14 at the Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, CT. This year’s event, “Homeward Bound,” will celebrate 24 years of rescuing dogs and cats for adoption to loving families. ROAR Star Award recipients will be honored for their outstanding contributions and exceptional support. Sean O’Kane is the 2024 ROAR Community Star Award honoree, and Colonial Subaru of Danbury (Colonial Automobile Group) is the 2020 ROAR Business Star Award honoree.

All proceeds from the event will support ROAR’s mission to find loving homes for the cats and dogs that are fortunate to come under their care. Tickets can be purchased online at https://one.bidpal.net/roargala2024.

“The generous, ongoing support of our donors, sponsors and volunteers allows ROAR to rescue hundreds of dogs and cats each year. We provide these animals with food, shelter, medical care and, most importantly, love until they are matched with their forever homes,” said Andrea Leone-Bay, President, Board of Directors, ROAR. “We look forward to celebrating our shared successes at our annual gala and honoring Sean O’Kane and Colonial Subaru of Danbury for their passion and commitment to the rescue and adoption of homeless pets.”

At the event, ROAR Community Star Award honoree Sean O'Kane, AIA will be recognized for donating his time and architectural expertise to the design of ROAR’s Donofrio Family Animal Shelter. The 1,800-foot shelter first opened its doors in 2005. In 2010, Sean and his team helped ROAR design an addition to the facility, doubling its original size. The enlarged facility was completed in 2011. Today, Sean and his team continue to provide support to ROAR when needed.

Colonial Subaru of Danbury, a member of the Colonial Automobile Group, will be honored by ROAR as its 2024 Business Star. Colonial Subaru of Danbury holds an annual adoption event for ROAR at its Newtown Road campus in Danbury each October. Over four years, more than 120 ROAR dogs have been adopted through this event. Colonial Subaru of Danbury also provides year-round promotion of ROAR events and adoptable pets.

The Gala will also feature an auction with items donated by generous local businesses and individuals. Live Auction items will be shown online with bidding to take place at the Gala. The event’s Silent Auction will be open to the public online, giving those who cannot attend the event an opportunity to bid on items from their computers or smartphones. This bidding will start online approximately one week before the event and end at the Gala on September 14th. To register, please visit www.bidpal.net/roargala2024 and then check back to start bidding. Donations to ROAR may also be made on the event website.