The odds are you're going to have one heck of a great time if you attend the Humane Society of McDonough County's Fourth Annual Casino Night March 7.
Place your bets, roll the dice and wager with the dealer beginning at 7 p.m. at Park Place in Macomb. Proceeds raised from the night will go toward the construction of a new animal shelter.
Tickets, $50/ person, are now available at tinyurl.com/ casino26 or from any HSMC member. Admission can also be purchased at the door. The admission fee gets participants $25 worth of poker chips that can be used at any of the gaming tables, as well as a delicious selection of appetizers. A cash bar will be available. In addition, weather permitting, an “welcome committee” (specially selected shelter animals) will greet guests outside as they arrive.
Additional gaming chips can be purchased for a nominal fee during the event, and at the end of the evening, attendees can trade in their chips for raffle tickets for chances to win a variety of prizes. Prizes include two $250 cash prizes; a lottery ticket 'tree' containing a bundle of potential winnings; a commissioned pet portrait from Tyler Henning (valued at $500); and the perennial grand prize of a week in Costa Rica (including a $500 Visa gift card), compliments of the Gossel family.
'We're just one week away and we're so excited to see everyone at this year's event,' said Event Co-Chair and HSMC Board Member Kathy Waters. 'It's really all-hands on deck for this annual fundraiser, which is crucial to being able to build a new shelter that's desperately needed. Thank you so much to our sponsors and donors, and to everyone who has purchased a ticket and is planning to attend.'
Casino Night 2026 benefactors include Royal Flush sponsors All Pets Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Karen and Eric Blakeley, and Animal Medical Center and the family of Dr. Charles Lotz.
Straight Flush sponsors are the Gossel family, Jackie and Dave Thompson, the Sharon Lindahl family and Jerry and Becky Peabody. Park Place is a Full House sponsor There is currently over $1.1 million in the building campaign fund, and according to HSMC President Bonnie Smith-Skripps, the HSMC building subcommittee is currently working to determine actual costs for the construction.
The first three Casino Nights raised over $130,000 toward the new shelter, with this year's goal set for $50,000. To donate to the building fund campaign, visit hsmcil.org/building-campaign to give online, Venmo @HumaneSocietyofMc-DonoughCounty or mail, checks payable to Humane Society of McDonough County (building fund campaign in memo), to P.O. Box 7, Macomb, IL 61455.
For more information, including updates on Casino Night, visit facebook.com/ HSMCIL.
