Guess who donated to the Whangarei/Kaipara branch of the SPCA organisation? We did, a whoopping $704.63!!!
It all started during the 2025 production of 'Sylvia' when the director Paul Dickens-Jacobs came up with the idea to host a charity performance of his show which features a dog as the titular characeter. Low and behold, both the WRSI president and secretary, Jayden Lincoln and Rana-Antoinette Gagnon, had the exact same idea! Contact was made with the local SPCA branch and a special charity performance was set into the production run of 'Sylvia' where all profits would go to the SPCA.
To help promote the special occasion and get the word out, the SPCA, at the humble request of Jayden and Rana-Antoinette, hosted the productions cast in a special photoshoot with five long-term canine residents. These photos of the cast and their newfound fur friends attracted enough attention to both sell tickets for the charity night and find the furry friends new forever homes! A win-win for both the Octagon and the Whangarei/Kaipara SPCA.
Pictured Left to right: SPCA manager Karla, Fur friend Hazel, WRSI Secretary Rana-Antoinette Gagnon & WRSI President Jayden Lincoln