Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue's annual 'Heart to Heart' 'Taste of The Niagara Region' fundraiser features 40 restaurants

Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue's fourth annual "Heart to Heart" fundraising event, "A Taste of The Niagara Region," will take place from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St.

This year's event will feature a tropical theme with calypso and reggae musical entertainment provided by the world-renowned Caribbean Extravaganza Band.

A $25 food ticket allows eventgoers to sample donated food and dessert items from participating businesses. Net proceeds will support Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue.

Funds raised will be used for HON's ongoing work of rescuing animals (including food, medical and needed supplies). The event also will raise monies to help with preparations at HON's newly acquired facility, currently under renovation, so that even more animals can be adopted into loving homes.

The fundraiser will feature an even wider variety of appetizers, main course items and desserts. This year, 40 participating restaurants, caterers and bakeries are participating, including Bailey O'Riley's Village Pub, Baked Cupcakery, The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q, Brio Pizzeria, Buffalo Roadhouse Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buzz Stir, Claudette's Catering, Como Restaurant, Conference & Event Center Catering, D&M Confections, Donna Eick's, Edible Arrangements Niagara Falls, El Cubilite Best Mexican Cuisine, Favorite's Pizzeria, Formal BBQ and Event Catering, Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls USA, The Original Honey's Pizza Niagara Falls, Johnnie Ryan Company, Karen Goodman Catering, King & I Thai Cuisine, La Galera Mexican Restaurant, Legends Bar & Grill, Lock 34 Bar & Grill, Mangia Café and Bakery, Metz Culinary Management at Niagara University, Muscoreil's Fine Desserts & Gourmet Cakes, Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, One Eyed Jack's, Paula's Donuts, Rain Forest Café at Sheraton at The Falls, Red Coach Inn, Salvatore's Italian Gardens, Scipione's Italian Deli, Sun Cuisines - Thai, Burmese and Black Rice, The Spicey Pickle Mexican Restaurant, TGI Friday's at Sheraton at The Falls, Tim Hortons Niagara Falls and The Village Bake Shoppe.

Guests will vote on their favorite dish at the event and then name "The Best of The Taste of the Niagara Region." There also will be a basket auction featuring more than $1,000 in prizes, including a "stay-cation" and family entertainment prizes.

Tickets may be purchased online through PayPal at www.heartofniagara.org (Heart to Heart event page), or pay by check or money order made payable to Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue (mail to Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue, PO Box 462, Lewiston NY 14092). Tickets will be held at the door for each guest, thus eliminating the added cost of postage to mail tickets back.

All persons under age 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Heart of Niagara is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit companion animal rescue organization based in Niagara County. Its mission is to protect the health and welfare of abandoned, unwanted and homeless animals. To date, volunteers have adopted out more than 360 animals. They operate solely on donations and the generosity and support of the public.

The organization welcomes new volunteers. For more information, contact Linda van Harssel at 716-622-1213, call 716-345-7129, or email [email protected].