It may seem like magic – Bark Magic!
Dogs come through the doors at DVGRR, often scared and sometimes fully shut down. Then they leave to become cherished family members with wagging tails. There’s actually no sleight of hand, misdirection, or magic wand involved, and we can’t pull a rabbit, much less a Golden, out of a hat. The magic is in the tireless dedication of staff and volunteers to help dogs, step by step and day by day, adjust to living the life all dogs should live.
Join us for a truly magical evening at our annual Golden Gala event. With the wave of a wand and “Abracadabra,” you’ll be amazed as we’re conjuring up another great event to celebrate DVGRR and the magical love of the DVGRR dogs and those that are now in their loving homes.
This charmed event begins at 4:00 p.m. with our silent auction, raffles, mixing and mingling, along with some amazing magic, performed by magician Ed Schmitt. You will be astounded and entertained! The sit-down dinner then begins at 5:30.
The event’s highlight is always the live auction, featuring one-of-a-kind, must-have items, and video that shows off the real magic that happens at Golden Gateway.
In order to make the Gala a success, we need your help and are looking for unique items for our auctions! Things like:
Unique experiences, vacation home or timeshares, decorative theme baskets, gourmet food or cooking items/lessons, wine and liquor, home and garden items, outdoor furnishings/décor, professional services (e.g., interior design, cleaning, landscape planning, home improvement), electronics (e.g., iPad/iPod and accessories, laptop or notebook, flat screen television), round of golf, golf clubs or accessories, sporting equipment or autographed sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting events, team clothing, restaurant or hotel gift certificates, theater or concert tickets, wardrobe accessories (e.g., jewelry, scarf, purse), spa gifts, or store gift cards.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Bark Magic,” think about creating a basket that will “Presto Chango” turn that basket into a great fundraiser for the dogs.
This is a sample of ideas, but we do need to emphasize that items must be new!
Our corporate sponsors will have the opportunity to work with the DVGRR team to create their personalized recognition at our Golden Gala. This may include give-away samples or handouts, an information table, or recognition in the video shown during cocktail hour, etc. In addition to this recognition at the event, your sponsorship will be included in all promotions leading up to it, including email communication to over 8,500 recipients and social media posts with over 35,000 followers. Corporate sponsorships begin at $3,000.00. If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, contact Inza Adams (717-484-4799 or inza@dev.dvgrr.org).
Questions about donations and sponsorships can be emailed to inza@dev.dvgrr.org.
RSVP deadline is March 27, 2026. Seating is limited and this event has sold out the past few years, so please be sure to make your reservation early. If you are a Golden Circle member, two tickets are included with your membership, so please email Karen (Karen@dev.dvgrr.org) with your meal selections.
Attire
You’re invited to wear magical cocktail attire if you’d like.
Rivercrest requests no denim.
2026 Registration/Tickets and Sponsorship Links:
Registration/Tickets: Click here for tickets!
Golden Circle Members: Membership includes two Gala tickets. Please email Karen Whittaker (karen@dev.dvgrr.org) with your meal selection.
Sponsorships:
Presenting Sponsor (Sold)
Abracadabra Sponsor – $5,000 (includes up to 4 tickets)
Hocus Pocus Sponsor – $3,000 (includes 2 tickets)
Course Sponsorships – $1,500 (3 available for each meal course)
Signature Drink Sponsorship (Sold)
Entertainment Sponsor: $1,500
Project Home Life Sponsor: $500
Mark your calendar now to join us! Questions? Email Inza@dev.dvgrr.org
“Bark Magic” Dog Sponsorship $250
**Deadline to be in our Auction Booklet has past but you are still welcome to be a Sponsor.” We know you have a magical connection with your dog, so share that magic with a sponsorship. Each sponsorship includes an 8 x 10” print featuring your dog’s photo and name. These prints will be displayed at the Golden Gala, and you’re welcome to take your print home as a souvenir after the event!
Photo submissions are due by March 23, 2026 and should be emailed to
inza@dev.dvgrr.org with subject line: Gala Bark Magic Dog, and include your name and your dog’s name in the email.
These sponsorships will be recognized on our website and in the Golden Gala program.
Purchase your Bark Magic Dog Sponsorship today, click here!
Gala Pop-Up Event
Kendra Scott LLC will have a pop-up event at our Golden Gala, and 20% of your purchase that evening will be donated to DVGRR!
USE CODE: GIVEBACK-LHMZX WHILE SHOPPING APRIL 12TH – 19TH!
There is plenty of beautiful jewelry of all types, including customizable and engravable styles. You can visit the site at: www.kendrascott.com to get a preview of what you might see available at the Gala. There are over 150 stores nationwide, and we are teaming up with the King of Prussia location for this pop-up event and fundraiser.
See something you want but can’t make the Gala? Don’t worry — there will be an online shopping event next week with 20% of proceeds donated to DVGRR. Mark your calendar now for April 12-19th for this online event! USE CODE: GIVEBACK-LHMZX WHILE SHOPPING APRIL 12TH – 19TH!
Menu
Hors d’ Oeuvres Stations:
Mashed Potato Bar: Interactive station custom-built with shaved scallions, sour cream, shredded cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, sauteed peppers, and roasted sweet onions.
Cold Hors d’ Oeuvres Station: Creole tomato bruschetta; smoked chicken and apple salad tartlet; melon and prosciutto brochette; salmon and dill mousse on rye bread.
Flat Bread Station: Roasted eggplant spread, spinach, feta and basil; crème fraiche, roasted onion, pancetta and ricotta; brick oven chicken, spicy rosemary and tomato sauce; carne asada, pico de gallo, chimichurri.
Salad: Organic Spring mix with assorted dressings.
Choice of Entrée Selection (includes seasonal starch, vegetable, rolls/butter):
Signature Braised Short Ribs: Mirin glaze with savory mac ‘n’ cheese as the starch (B).
Chicken Scaloppini: Seared flour-dusted chicken cutlets, sauteed with white wine, lemon, garlic, and butter (C).
Vegetarian Selection: Eggplant Parmigiana (V).
Dessert
Beverages: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, decaf, and hot tea included.
Also included: 2 alcoholic drink coupons
Mark your calendar now to join us! Questions? Email Inza@dev.dvgrr.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Presenting Sponsors:
Top & Bobbie Myers
In memory of Chief & Clyde Johannessen and in honor of Jack Johannessen
Pat Kermes – In honor of DVGRR Staff, Volunteers, and Board of Directors.
Abracadabra Sponsors:
Best wishes for a successful 2026 Golden Gala… and many thanks to DVGRR and all the volunteers who care so deeply for the dogs… Bob, Jill, and Ruger Haver
Hocus Pocus Sponsors:
Linda and Bill Madway
Entertainment Sponsors:
Board of Directors
Course Sponsor:
Heck Construction Company, Inc.
Paul & Mary Reinhart – Happy to Support the Best Rescue Ever! To DVGRR with thanks & gratitude for all you do!
Shawn & Elise McCarthy
Drink Sponsor:
Barbara E Bennethum
Project Home Life Sponsors:
Darren & Carolyn Stocker
Monica Kulaski
DVGRR is The Best! Marion Tuck and Sally (DVGRR 23-021)
George & Barbara Xakellis
David & Carol Hoskinson
Joe & Annamarie DeCarlo
General Sponsors:
Darren & Carolyn Stocker
Ann Moore
Penn Veterinary Supply, Inc
Tompkins Community Bank
“Bark Magic” Dog Sponsorship:
Alicia & Alex Reese
Christopher Senior