Homeless In Seletar - Holding On Together: ALL for Love

The last six months of planning, brainstorming, sleepless nights culminated to a burst of activity in the week leading towards Nov 21. Yes we have been busy and we were exhausted. Most of the time, in a daze - pretty sure we forgot something, checked and double checked the list, more thoroughly than Santa ever did. Calls had already been made, vouchers collected, tickets sold, money collected, the event is drawing near and how come it feels like we are not ready. Panic mode, stress, stress, stress !!!

We made visits again to Forrest Restaurant, drew countless circles representing tables, squares representing booths, triangles representing easels. Our dreams became nightmares of circles, squares and triangles chasing after us because we had made blunders. Greatest fears, not enough food, forgot to add a name, forgot to pick up a prize... Call it jitters, nerves, and what have you but finally it is the week leading to the event.

Thursday 19 Nov saw most of the organising team and friends taking leave from work to pack our goody bags. Yes the bag turned out to be a hefty one, with many great redemption vouchers, free gifts and information, all from our generous sponsors who heeded calls from the extremely hardworking committee to support Pets Villa.

Even we were surprised to see the actual content. So many things to put in, too many to organise. Gwen, our kind member who sponsored her home which looked like a warehouse towards the end, was befuddled by the number of cartons and boxes that kept arriving at her home. It was a good thing we asked the goodies to be delivered a few days before the event or her family would have nowhere to move around!

Early Thursday morning, we set out our goody 'stations' and like efficient little factory workers proceeded to work the 'Operation' line. It was funny to see how some can NOT be factory operators and would jam up the production line, and how some betrayed the operator's union by joining management. Yes we had a good time laughing and singing, with dogs running in and out our various stations. Big M was banned from the operation as he kept implementing management changes and ideas to our factory line. We had to restart all ovder again, about 3 times because we had left out some stuff from the bags. "Oh no!!" was a cry everyone dreaded to hear. I think at the end of the operation and before the Dinner, we all grew heartily sick of counting and recounting the number of contents and bags.

After the packing was done, drew the extremely tiresome task of transporting everything to Mandai for safe keeping. The skies were not kind to us and it rained the whole day leaving us bored, restless, grumpy and hungry. We ate more than we should, fed the dogs till they became sick. By 6.00 pm fed-up with a day's fruitless waiting, far too long and fearing the darkness descending before our task was finished, we decided to brave the rain and started stuffing a big lorry, 2 MPVs chocker-full full full to the brim with goody bags, paintings, sales merchandise, bid auction stuff, huge bags of dog and cat food, beds. No available space was spared, all passengers had their laps to the brim with stuff. We had to push the passengers into the car before the doors could be shut. The drivers were not able to use the rear view mirrors but at last, at last we all set off to Mandai where we can leave our precious belongings at the restaurant. It was good foresight to move them that night because on reflection, Friday and Saturdays were such busy ones, we doubt we could have done any more transporting or packing. The goody bag day ended with a dinner at Forrest itself, extremely tired, aching shoulders and legs but relieved that the biggest headache was over.

Saturday at 3 pm saw all the committee members meeting at Forrest for the final touch ups, reorganising, regrouping, delegating of tasks and sound testing. The other volunteers for the night dutifully streamed in by 4.30 pm, thank God for them as we could not have done it without these great people. Eveyone was ready, set, go before the first guests arrived by 6.00 pm.

And what a great time we all had.

The receptionists did a fantastic job of seating the guests and selling wines. Our volunteers marvellously spearheaded the raffle sales which were booming and sale merchandise flew off the shelf, all very generously donated by numerous Sponsors. Our three adorable dogs for adoption had a great time mingling with the crowd, excited to see so many friendly faces and receiving many pats and strokes. 'Opt to Adopt' was the message of the night and our little ambassadors did a great job with friendly waves of their tails.

Shawn a cross chow, Keely, a cross terrier and Papi, a mix breed come from different background but looking for the same thing, love and security in a new home. They were representatives of the dogs and cats at Pets Villa and in shelters across Singapore, that there are many like them, healthy, beautiful and very deserving and so much love to give.

Angela May from FLY Entertainment did a great job of compere-ing and rah rah-ing the crowd to bid and buy raffle, the 'all for a good cause' theme was heard from start of the dinner till the end. Robert Fernando and Amy entertained and serenaded us with their personality and songs, Kenneth of Special K came specially before his nightly gig at a popular club to spin his specials, his music moved our bodies and swayed to the rhythm, Shanice together with intelligent Nova from AK9 Singapore proceeded to showcase their trust and partnership wowing us especially with training of Snowy, a rescued terrier into an obedient entertainer. These five kind souls offered their talents probono of which ALL is very grateful. We could not have offered to hire any one of them, no matter how much discount given.

Bobby and Jovyn proceeded to snap many many photos, they were the first to arrive and the last to leave. We are completely grateful to these two great guys for their passion and compassion. They say a picture speaks a thousand words and how aptly put. Bobby and Joyvn not only gave a picture but many photos to bring home, memories that we at ALL will always treasure, for "ALL for Love Mandai Dinner" is not the first event that ALL has put up, nor will it be the last, but for us, it will always be the most exciting, the most

fun and one where all of us worked in unison with one mind to achieve one goal - raise money for Pets Villa's future and spread the 'Opt to Adopt' message as strongly as we can.

Although none of us managed to eat much, of what we could eat and verified by many guests, the food was delicious, thanks Forrest! Mmm, perhaps we should go again as a post dinner celebration. The event drew to a close with the most exciting part of the night, bid for "A dinner with Mohan". That drew much anticipation, laughter and friendly competition. Mohan obliged with a twirl on the stage, a few buttons undone much to the delight of the crowd. All for a good cause, prompted even Caesar on stage to give aid to the call for his furry compatriots. And we were not disappointed, all our auctions, silent and live, were bidded upon, and generously may we add. Some kind bidders even donated back to ALL what they had purchased, like the can food and there were smiles upon smiles on happy faces of those who shared their blessings.

Yes, it was a night that all of us volunteers at ALL was proud and happy for. A night when people gave out of their pockets and kindness of their hearts. It was far to travel to Mandai, of that we had no doubt. Many had difficulty with transport yet they came. They came in support - with their presence, with their purchases.

They donated, bidded and gave because they believed in ALL's cause. Of ALL's efforts towards the dogs and cats and those in their care. Of the many who were saved from death or pain to lead a life of contentment at the kennel or cattery where they do not have to run any more or fear or cry or go hungry into the night. And yet some more fortunate, as a new furry family member giving and receiving love from their human members. Yes, our Sponsors who gave so generously to this dinner understood the difficulty it is to run a rescue shelter and the costs involved, of how hard it is to stretch that dollar but still we at ALL will try. As long as there is hope, ALL will always try their best to find the rainbow for each of the animal they have in their care.

This dinner was a success as it was organised by a committee who agreed in unison what the goal was, supported by a group of volunteers who helped willingly from their hearts, donated by Sponsors who empathised and attended by Diners who believed.

All for Love? It certainly was!

ALL for Love

Some of ALL volunteers ‘kicking’ up a storm in excitement

Snowy, rescued by ALL volunteers, from a breeding farm. Emanciated, nervous, scabby and now transformed into a thing of beauty and a joy forever

Beautiful paintings for the Silent auction, these drew great interest

As were these great accessories and food, thanks to our kind sponsors

Shawn takes a break from his PR job. He did great! Shawn, a cross chow is looking for a home. Dogs of various breed, pedigree or non, all look for the same things in life, a home, a bowl, food and warmth, pats and hugs. Sometimes it remains elusive.

Our lovely volunteers at the Sales booth

Some of the lovely sale items

Our capable and beautiful Receptionists

Great prizes for the Raffle Draw

Beautiful handpainted board by Committee Member, Angela

Hard at work, “would you care for a bottle of wine to accompany your meal?”

Lovely paintings all in a row

Opt to Adopt, a strong message for that night

Nova, from AK9 Singapore, the dog extraordinaire, winner of many Obedience and Agility competitions

Lovely Keely says “take me home”

A wonderland by night

Everyone having a great time

Forrest @ Orchidville, great food, good friends, good animal loving owners

The first course – Yummy

Dogs for adoption?? These ‘flew’ off the shelves real quick.

Our invaluable young volunteer, Kai Xin and Mr. Indispensable himself, Dennis, much loved among the two, three and four legged.

President and Hon Treasurer of ALL, Cathy Strong and Mohan Div. Founders of Animal Lovers League. This world is a better place for our furry friends, thanks to them, their love, compassion and dedication

Love me, love my dog”. Amy and Mohan doing a twirl. Caesar joins in the fun.

Let the bidding begin!!

Angela May, our lovely MC for the night. Kept us entertained and in sequence.

Papi says “Adopt me!”, Yes, 4 month old Papi is looking for her own home too. She is not alone. There are many like her waiting to be picked up and brought home. Opt to Adopt is the reason for this mission. If you are considering a pet, please remember, Opt to Adopt first.