By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Fort Hays State University students from the Leadership 310 class, a course based on service learning, will host two events this weekend to help raise money for the Western Plains Animal Refuge, 203 E. Seventh, Ste. C.

The first event, the Howl-A-Ween Gala will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Robbins Center on the FHSU campus.

The event will feature a costume contest, catering from Chartwells, a photo booth, a silent auction and adult beverage service. The event will be 21 or older to enter.

The cost of registration for the Gala is $25.

The second event planed for the weekend is the Mutts and Monsters 5k run/walk and costume contest, in the municipal park, First and Main, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Participants of the event can wear Halloween attire if desired, and dogs are encouraged to participate in the run/walk. General admission is $25 and $15 for student, children and seniors. Breakfast and a T-shirt are included in the registration fee.

Proceeds from both events will be used to help the shelter achieve its goal of $150,000 to build a new shelter.

“They’re a no-kill shelter, and we are one of the few that are no kill,” said Story Flemming, Leadership 310 student.

At this time, animals cared for by the refuge are in foster homes as they do not have a facility.

“They have been doing a lot of fundraising and advertising to raise the money,” said Mikaela Daniels, Leadership 310 student.

Flemming and Daniels were drawn to the refuge cause after hearing from community leaders at the beginning of the course. This year’s events are a continuation of events from last year’s course.

“Last year, one girl helped organize this,” Flemming said. “She did a very good job because we are still using it.”

The refuge has currently raised over $25,000 for the facility, according to Flemming.

For more information about the refuge and to register for the events, click here.