Grand Opening of the Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center
Oct 31, 2007
Opening Night
September 6, 2007
The paparazzi were lined up and hundreds of fans merged into one giant mob that took on a life of its own, eager to get a glimpse—or, even better, reach out and touch!—the guest celebrities making their first appearance in Chicago’s trendy Lincoln Park neighborhood. The grand room illuminated with light as cameras went into rapid-fire, followed by an eruption of clapping, cheering, ooohs and ahhhs echoing throughout the lofty 30 foot ceilings. The evening’s special guests had arrived!
No, Chicago, it wasn’t a Hollywood movie premier or political fundraiser—it was the much-anticipated evening celebration of the PAWS Chicago Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, when homeless cats and dogs first arrived in their new safe haven.
As volunteers and homeless pets weaved their way through the crowd towards the spacious, comfortable suites in the Barbara Bradford Kitty City and Marshall Field Family Dog Town, the realization that the dream had finally arrived dawned on PAWS Chicago supporters. Many nuzzled their faces against soft puppy fur or shared a kiss with a passing pooch. Tears fell. Laughter rang. It was truly a night to remember.
Grand Opening
September 8, 2007
The line of supporters, eager to get a look at the muchawaited PAWS Chicago Pippen Fasseas Center, stretched down Clybourn Avenue the morning of the Grand Opening. Throughout the day thousands of people visited, enjoying music from the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet, refreshments by Chipotle, the warm bodies of hundreds of homeless cats, dogs, puppies and kittens anticipating families of their own, and the spectacular building that was now “home” to the largest No Kill humane organization in the city.
With more than 200 adoptions, the first week was the perfect launch for the premier adoption center in the Midwest.
Special Thanks to Weber Shandwick and DraftFCB for their pro-bono PR and advertising services, launching the new PAWS Adoption & Humane Center in style.