FOCAS Announces its 3rd Annual A Celebration of Courage" Fundraiser

Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to supporting San Diego County Animal Shelters, announced today its 3rd Annual Gala Awards Reception and Silent Auction, A Celebration of Courage, to be held on Saturday, June 1, 2002.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mona Klausing
Candelori Communications for FOCAS
(619) 275-2308
mona@candelori.com

FOCAS Announces its 3rd Annual A Celebration of Courage" Fundraiser
-- Emmy-Nominated Actress Catherine Hicks Signs On as Mistress of Ceremonies --

San Diego, CA -- March 20, 2002 -- Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to supporting San Diego County Animal Shelters, announced today its 3rd Annual Gala Awards Reception and Silent Auction, A Celebration of Courage, to be held on Saturday, June 1, 2002 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Set in a beautiful private estate in La Jolla, California, the evening fundraising reception supports an array of medical, outreach and adoption services for the dogs and cats in San Diego Countys public animal shelters.

A Celebration of Courage is held each year in honor and recognition of extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism performed by and for animals. In light of the tragic events of September 11th, when many national and local animal teams were brought to the forefront for their rescue efforts, this years Gala is both timely and especially poignant. Hosted by Emmy-nominated actress Catherine Hicks, star of the WBs family-oriented television series 7th Heaven, the Gala will feature a cocktail reception, awards ceremony, silent auction and a chance to mingle and network with other San Diego County animal lovers.

As a longtime animal lover and advocate, I am delighted to take part in the FOCAS Gala and help acknowledge the brave people and animals who have put the safety of others before their own," said Catherine Hicks. I encourage everyone to lend their support to this worthwhile charitable cause."

We are very pleased to have Ms. Hicks host our awards ceremony this year," stated Barbara Greene, FOCAS Executive Director. We also convey our heartfelt gratitude to our corporate sponsors: The Toby Wells Foundation, Wells Fargo, Nutro® Products and Royal Canin. It is through their generosity and that of all our event participants and members that FOCAS is working to find loving homes for San Diego shelter pets."

The proceeds of the fundraiser support the many services and programs offered by FOCAS for the benefit of the lost and abandoned dogs and cats in San Diego County Animal Shelters including: providing adoption counselors and volunteers at each of the three County Shelters; maintaining a medical fund for sick and needy animals; arranging weekend adoption events at various locations throughout the County; operating a foster home program; and promoting public education concerning responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

The lead sponsor of the 2002 FOCAS Gala is The Toby Wells Foundation, a private non-profit organization in San Diego focused on building a brighter future for youth, persons with disabilities and animals. Additional corporate sponsors include Wells Fargo, Nutro® Products, Inc. and Royal Canin USA, Inc. FOCAS is currently seeking additional corporate and media sponsors as well as donated products and services for the silent auction.

Gala tickets cost $50 per person and can be ordered in advance by sending a check to:
FOCAS, Attention: A Celebration of Courage, c/o PO Box 8375, La Jolla, CA 92038-8375. Ticket and sponsor inquiries can be directed to Barbara Greene at (760) 634-8130. Media inquiries and interview requests with Catherine Hicks can be directed to Mona Klausing at (619) 275-2308.

ABOUT CATHERINE HICKS
Catherine Hicks plays Annie Camden on the WBs hit TV series, 7th Heaven. In her many years as a professional actress, Emmy-nominated Catherine Hicks has amassed an impressive list of film, television and theater credits.

Born in Manhattan and raised in Scottsdale, Ariz., Hicks' starring role on 7th Heaven is her fourth television series regular role. She starred previously on the series Winnetka Road, Tucker's Witch and the popular daytime drama Ryan's Hope.

With a double major in theology and English literature at Notre Dame University, Hicks first became interested in acting after observing several of the school's stage productions. She later moved to New York and subsequently won an acting fellowship to Cornell University and received a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Hicks' feature films include Turbulence with Ray Liotta, Francis Ford Coppola's Peggy Sue Got Married, The Razor's Edge and Sidney Lumet's Garbo Talks. She also starred in the movies Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Child's Play and She's Out of Control. Hicks received a 1980 Emmy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries for her starring role in Marilyn: The Untold Story.

Her other television movie credits include For All Time, Redwood Curtain co-starring John Lithgow, Once More With Feeling, Running Against Time and Happy Endings.
On Broadway, Hicks starred with Jack Lemmon in the world premiere of Tribute, and has performed in numerous regional theater productions.

Hicks resides in Los Angeles, Calif. with her husband, director and special effects artist Kevin Yagher, and their daughter, Catie.

ABOUT FOCAS
Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization headquartered in San Diego, California. Founded in 1986, the grassroots volunteer organization is dedicated to increasing the adoptions of lost and abandoned dogs and cats in the three public shelters operated by the San Diego County Department of Animal Control: North (Carlsbad), South (Bonita), and Central San Diego. FOCAS, supported solely by donations, grants, bequests and adoption fees, provides adoption events, shelter adoption counselors, foster homes, medical assistance and much-needed improvements to the Countys shelter facilities. For more information about membership, volunteering or upcoming events, please visit our web site at: www.focas-sandiego.org or call (619) 685-3536.

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