Thank you to all who made Athena's Evening at Flemings a great success May 7th! Our gratitude goes to our Co-Chairs Mrs. Anita Stude and Dennis and Ashley McQueen for helping to put together such a well-attended and fun event. Everyone had a fabulous time and the event raised money for the Friends For Life building fund, veterinary fund, animal assistance programs and allowed us to create an additional staff position for Adoption Coordinator! Flemings was a beautiful location and the food and wine donated by Ashley and Dennis McQueen were a delicious addition to the evening's festivities. The Flemings staff could not have been more gracious and efficient. Thank you for being so top notch! Our deep thanks also to the generous silent auction donors. Our bidders were treated to some of the finest jewelry, trips, spa days, wine tasting and glorious goodies for their homes and their animals. The bidding was lively and fun for all and we can't wait to do it all again. There were some amazing deals to be had! The partygoers were treated to an ongoing presentation that lit up one wall of the banquet room all evening. The show detailed in pictures the history of FFL including some of the thousands of the animals helped by the programs. The show included pictures of many adopters, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas hurricane missions and Friends For Life 'where are they now?' updates on animals living the good life in their new homes. One of the best parts of the show and of the evening was the unveiling of the sanctuary plans! The site plans and sketches developed by the Gensler architecture firm and Brooke Summers-Perry were featured in our presentation. We are humbled and so grateful to announce their commitment to offer their continued collaboration to complete the project. The depth of creativity, talent and professionalism they bring to the project with this monumental commitment are priceless. This remarkable act of generosity will bring the dream of a no kill sanctuary to life. "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be in vain; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."                               Henry David Thoreau