Helen Woodward Animal Center's 21st annual Spring Fling held at the Fairbanks Village Plaza in Rancho Santa Fe was a roaring success. More than 400 guests attended the exotic "Shangri-Paw" gala fundraiser June 6.

"This is one of our biggest events of the year," said Trisha St. George, public relations supervisor of Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Last year, the event raised $359,027.

Monies raised for this nonprofit organization support saving orphaned animals, raising educational awareness and implementing animal therapeutic programs for those with special needs.

The 2009 Spring Fling Committee included co-chairs Laurel McCrink and Katie Shull, vice chair Elizabeth Davidson, Cindy Bobin-Foit, Brenda Boggioni, Chris Breining, Melanie Cruz Walsh, Terri Davis, Stephanie Fulton, Joel Garlejo, Carrington Kingsley, Peggy Landon, Pearl Padovano, Machel Penn, Michelle Pessah, Deborah Reynolds, Richard Salpietra, Sharon Sandorf, Sarah Z. Sleeper, Cassie Smith, Charna Sugar, and Mary Trimmins.

As many as 200 volunteers were at "Shangri-Paw."

Actress Hannah Kornfeld, donning her Annie ensemble from the Starlight Theater, greeted guests with her on-stage dog, Sandy.

Emcees for the evening were Dan Plante and Bridget Naso of KUSI News.

Silent auction tables brimmed with more than 100 items consisting of jewels, vacations, wines, golf and tennis packages to pampering excursions.

Generous sponsors were O'Riordan & Associates, EDCO, Whittier Family Foundation, Bryce and Susan Rhodes, Ferrari & Maserati of San Diego, The Petco Foundation, Jack In The Box Foundation, Pam Slater-Price, Starrett Construction, Vannelli, Sorrento Ventures, US Bank, San Diego National Bank, San Diego County Credit Union, Robert Maes and Associates, The Bockoff Family Foundation, Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital, Wendy McWethy, Windermere Real Estate, PetSmart, Henderson-Caverly-Pum & Charney, Ark Antiques, Fisher Real Estate Advisors, INT Softboards, Ken Grody Ford, United Concordia, Barney & Barney, Hartford Insurance, NOVA Engineering and Environmental and Catherine Verrier Real Estate.

Bill Menish served as live auctioneer. Bob and Colette Stafanko's winning bid allows them to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Dec.24.

Following the live auction, guests danced the night away to the live music of Sensation.