$10,000 Waiting for Winner

An opportunity for instant cash is still available to anyone who wants to take a chance.

The grand prize of $10,000 cash will be won by somebody who purchased a $100 raffle ticket for the Cash for Critters during the fourth annual Bow Wow Bash on Sept. 27 in Centennial Park in Port St. Joe.

Tickets are still available for the raffle, said Sandi Christy, a member of the board of directors for the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society, who is sponsoring the raffle.

Almost 200 tickets have been sold already toward the Society's goal of 500.

In addition to the grand prize of $10,000, there are five additional prizes of $1,000 each. All are tax-deductible, and people do not have to be present to win.

Paws in the Park, which is the daytime portion of the Bow Wow Bash, kicks off at 8 a.m. E.T. with the pet-friendly 5K walk/run.

The remainder of the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. E.T. event includes pet and owner activities, food and merchandise for sale, and a demonstration by the Gulf County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit.

The night-time event, the actual Bow Wow Bash, will feature the band Smackwater Retrievers, a blues and jazz group from the Eastpoint area. Provisions will cater the event and13 Mile is donating all the shrimp for the festivities.

Among items donated for the live and silent auctions are:

* A gourmet dinner with wine for 10 people at a gulf front Cape San Blas home, prepared and served by three local couples

* Handmade solid oak rockers and benches donated by Janet and Earl Miller

* A case of champagne from the New York Finger Lake region

* A logo design and image package donated by Don Ouillette

* A full set of original handmade African jewelry

* A pair of 14-carat gold hoop earrings set with a total of two carats of diamonds.

Tickets for both the raffle and the Sept. 27 event can be purchased at:

- The Humane Society, 1007 Tenth Street, Port St. Joe;

- Faith's Thrift Hut, also at the Tenth Street address;

- Provisions on Williams Avenue, Port St. Joe;

- Bayside Savings Bank, Port St. Joe;

- Dockside Restaurant, Marina Drive, Port St. Joe;

- Loggerhead Grill, SR/CR30E, Cape San Blas;

Scallop Cove/BP, SR/CR30E, St. Joseph Peninsula; and

- From any of the Society's board of directors.