Through dinner reservations, donations and a live and silent auction, the business-casual event held at the Midnight Garden raised $86,051 for the ARL according to the Furr Ball’s OneCause.com event page, smashing the goal of $75,000 going into the event.

ARL of Marshalltown Executive Director Austin Gillis addresses the crowd at the Furr Ball on Saturday evening.

“Our mission is about fostering a world where compassion reigns,” ARL executive director Austin Gillis said as part of a speech on Saturday evening. “Where every lost, broken or hopeless companion animal in Marshall County finds not just shelter, but a loving home.”

Gillis, who was hired by the ARL late last year, went on to describe the operational costs per year, which break down to roughly $50,000 a month.

“Those numbers might seem daunting, but in the face of our collective will, they are not insurmountable,” Gillis said. “Tonight, I ask you to open your hearts, and if you are able, your wallets, but let’s harness our collective strength and build a better, safer, happier community – not just for our furry friends, but for all of us.”

Several items were auctioned off during the live auction portion, led by auctioneer Kurt Kaufmann and emceed by Todd Steinkamp of KIX 101.1/1230 KFJB AM, including high-ticket items like vacations to Galena, Ill., Louisville, Ky. and Mexico as well as locally-focused value packages and even autographed jerseys from Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.

A silent auction added a variety of baked goods, gift packages, pet-themed art and other submissions from local businesses.

Deirdre Gruendler was the night’s featured speaker — she was the interim executive director at the ARL prior to Gillis’ hire as one of many hats she’s worn in almost a decade of working in Marshalltown.

“Everything in Marshalltown happens because of this community,” Gruendler said. “We’ve seen huge improvement in our ability to bring the entire community together. … We’re so fortunate to have Austin leading the organization, and the leadership and volunteers and board are working as hard as they can, and all of you are coming in and adopting pets like crazy.”

Also available on Saturday night was a “Giving Wall,” which allowed donors who didn’t see anything they liked up for auction to still contribute to the cause, with spots for a variety of monetary values filling up throughout the night.

The Max Wellman Big Band performed during a social hour at the start of the evening as well as performing through dinner for those enjoying the catered pork loin supper.

The ARL, located at 1921 Taylor Ave., is also looking for volunteers as well as part-time/full-time staff as kennel attendants. The shelter can be reached by phone at (641) 753-9046.

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Contact Jake Ryder at (641) 753-6611 ext. 227 or jryder@timesrepublican.com.