Raise the Woof concert to boost awareness, funds for the Kitsap Humane Society

Published 12:24 pm Friday, August 14, 2015

Animals that have been adopted from a shelter have a special place in the hearts of their owners.

Imagine, what if there had not been a shelter available for those pets until they found their forever home?

Organizations like the Kitsap Humane Society work to rehabilitate and rehome animals in need of a family. But, without the support of the community, Kitsap Humane Society could not achieve their mission.

Now it’s time to cue the music: the society’s second “Raise the Woof” concert will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.

The big event comes to Rustica Island Farm and Market, at 12600 Miller Road on Bainbridge Island.

Rebekah Johnson, events coordinator and executive assistant at the Kitsap Humane Society, said she is thrilled to be involved in the organization’s second fundraising concert and encourages community members to come out and support the organization.

“We’re really stressing that this is a concert that’s benefiting the animals,” Johnson said. “All funds raised go directly to helping animals at the shelter and in our community, and making sure that we can continue our program.”

Last year, a group of islanders who were passionate about animal welfare and avid music fans came together to develop a concert event to raise funds for the Kitsap Humane Society.

“[It was] a group of supporters from Bainbridge Island who wanted to help make a difference at the Kitsap Humane Society,” Johnson said.

Erin Thomasson, a board member for the Kitsap Humane Society, brought together a group of islanders to form the committee for Raise the Woof.

“I started putting some people together here on the island, and really we just started brainstorming about what we could do that would get people’s attention — and that they would enjoy — and how we could get the word out,” Thomasson said.

Thomasson was made the director for the benefit show, and leads the group with Robin Callahan, co-director of Raise the Woof. The committee also includes co-chair Monique Summers, Pam Sobeck, Stephanie Steele, Tara Scouten and Leigh Tatum.

“We thought a concert would be fun because it could be outdoors in the summer, and it would be a good way to get our name out,” Thomasson said.

The committee chose Rustica Island Farm for the concert’s location.

Thomasson called the place “just gorgeous.”

“It’s got this beautiful sloping hill, and at the bottom we have the stage that the Bainbridge Island parks department supplied to us.”

“Sheri Marxoff (owner) has been very cooperative and supportive of us and the organization, and really wanted us back again this year,” she added.

The concert’s headlining act will be Mycle Wastman, a Seattle soul singer, who appeared as a frontrunner on season three of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Wastman delivers a refreshing combination of classical, soul and R&B with a splash of pop.

Raise the Woof’s opening act will be St. Paul de Vence (lead by Ben Doer), a dynamic local band that brings together the sounds of ukulele, banjo, mandolin and other acoustic oriented instruments.

Both Wastman and St. Paul de Vence are big supporters of Kitsap Humane Society. This is their second year performing for Raise the Woof.

During intermission, Eric Stephens, executive director at Kitsap Humane Society, will give a short presentation about the organization’s mission.

There will also be a Kitsap Humane Society booth, and Dr. Jen Stonequist, head veterinarian for Kitsap Humane Society, will also attend.

Johnson predicts that there will be well over 100 attendees. The venue itself can accommodate 350 people. In addition to live music, food trucks from local restaurants and cuisine establishments will be selling drinks, snacks and meals on location.

Monetary contributions from sponsors and ticket revenue go toward the Kitsap Humane Society’s mission.

Tickets cost $50 for adults, and $20 for children. VIP tickets are also available. To purchase tickets, visit kitsaphumanesociety.shindigg.com. Tickets will also be sold at farmers market on the island until the day of the concert, and tickets can be purchased on Aug. 16 at Rustica Island Farm.

“The proceeds go toward making sure the animals are comfortable here, that they’re rehomed, and that we’re fulfilling our mission as well.” Johnson explained. “This year [the proceeds] aren’t necessarily going to a specific fund or need, just the overall mission of the humane society and helping to save animals’ lives in our community.”

Both Thomasson and Johnson are excited to help organize the concert —  a family friendly fundraiser that will both entertain and spread awareness about the Kitsap Humane Society.

Thomasson has worked with the humane society for about three years.

Though originally from the East Coast, Thomasson has lived in the Seattle area since 1987, and has lived on the island for 11 years.

She has an 11-year-old dog named Bear, a ring-neck turtle dove that she rescued from vicious crows in her backyard and a blue fish named Elsa.

“I’m a passionate animal lover, always have been, and I was looking for a way to get involved in an organization that could meet up with that passion, which was caring for animals,” Thomasson said.

It’s a very progressive shelter, a no-kill shelter, she said, that saves more than 5,000 animal lives a year.

“I was just amazed that something of that size was here in my community. I mean, that’s a lot of animals being saved and rehomed every year. It was just such a great group that I wanted to help.”

Originally from Port Orchard, Johnson has been with the Kitsap Humane Society since January.

She has a pit bull mix named Ellie, and a bunny she recently rescued from the Kitsap Humane Society named Mr. Motley.

Johnson is dedicated to the nonprofit’s cause, and she hopes that events like Raise the Woof will bring the community together to support the shelter.

Both said the big event certainly should.

“We know what a giving, caring community Bainbridge is, and what an animal loving community Bainbridge is,” Thomasson said.

“We don’t feel like we’ve had a strong enough voice here to share our message, and we’re hoping people will come out and learn more about it.”

Raise the Woof

What: Kitsap Humane Society fundraiser concert.

Where: Rustica Island Farm.

When: 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.

Admission: $50 per adult, $20 for children.