QUILCENE — As she looks toward this Saturday evening, Cody Maxwell is “excited — overwhelmed — excited.”

For the first time in years, Center Valley Animal Rescue’s big party, titled “For the Love of Animals,” will happen in person.

The catered dinner and live auction will start at 5 p.m. at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., and as ever, it will include some animal-rescue success stories from the 20-year-old nonprofit organization.

Tickets are $75 per person or $100 for the VIP package, with proceeds to benefit the 32-acre shelter and farm in rural Quilcene. To purchase tickets, go to https://one.bidpal.net/loveofanimals/ticketing, and for more information, phone CVAR at 360-765-0598.

For those who want to shop early — or skip the in-person event — an online auction is also well underway. The diverse catalog is available for browsing at centervalleyanimalrescue.org. Anyone can participate in this virtual event until 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

To see the items, visit https:// centervalleyanimalrescue.org/donations/ and click on the red “For the Love of Animals” graphic on the right side of the page. That leads to a page with a menu including the Tickets & Sponsorships and Browse Items options. More items will be added to the online auction site through the day of the event, said Maxwell, CVAR’s marketer and fundraiser.

Supporters, she added, have already been browsing and bidding with vigor.

“This is the most important fundraiser of the year,” Maxwell said.

Over the past 12 months, director Sara Penhallegon and her team of staff and volunteers have rescued hundreds of animals across Jefferson and Clallam counties.

Only about 100 have been adopted, so since this is a no-kill shelter, Saturday’s benefit will help pay for food, shelter and veterinary care for many creatures, from horses to birds to cats and dogs.

CVAR is also a wildlife recovery center where otters, birds and other animals are cared for and released.

Last year, the wild animals brought in included 15 owls, four chipmunks, a beaver and a harbor seal. The domestic ones include 30 cats, six cattle, seven horses, two chinchillas and one pug.

As they prepare for Saturday’s gala, Maxwell and her crew are feeling grateful to the sponsors: Aldrich’s market in Port Townsend, which donated cases of wine; Astound Broadband (WAVE), Pet Townsend veterinary clinic and Chimacum Valley Veterinary Hospital.

In addition, hundreds of online auction items have been donated, including a golf-kayaking-dining-overnight package from the Port Ludlow Association and Dusty Green Cafe; a year of bread from Pane d’Amore; a farmshare subscription from Chimacum’s Red Dog Farm; and original works by local artists including Jeff Becker.

Becker will make additional donations to match the sales of her art up to $10,000, Maxwell noted.

To learn about adopting a pet or farm animal from CVAR or inquire about volunteering at the property, located at 11900 Center Road, phone at 360-765-0598, email info@centervalleyanimalrescue.org or visit https://centervalleyanimalrescue.org/adopt.

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Jefferson County Senior Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz @peninsuladailynews.com.