Hello Bully Gala Raises Awareness, Funds for Pit Bulls

Hello Bully, a local organization that gives a battered breed with a tattered reputation a chance at redemption, is celebrating its mission in the very name of an upcoming fundraiser — Lovers Not Fighters.

Now in its sixth year,  was founded by Cranberry resident Daisy Balawejder.

“We are nonprofit, and every dollar we make goes directly to helping pit bulls in need,” said Nicole Garritano Meloy, Hello Bully’s volunteer events manager. “We go all out for this event as far as attendance and donations grow, and we have grown through the years in a spectacular way.”

The Lovers Not Fighters gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for Hello Bully, and it will kick off at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. Meloy said more than 400 people are expected to attend. Adoptable dogs from three Pittsburgh shelters also will be in attendance.

The annual event started in 2009 with 200 guests and raised $11,000. The next year, 300 attended the event and $20,000 was raised. In 2011, there were 375 guests who helped raise $42,000.

“It shows how much we have grown over the years not only as an event but as an organization,” Meloy said.

The organization’s mission is to rescue and rehabilitate the American Pit Bull Terrier and improve its reputation. There are no salaried positions at Hello Bully; volunteers and animal foster parents support the organization out of kindness and their passion to help a misunderstood breed.

The money raised at the event goes directly to fund the pit fix program, which provides neutering and spaying services, along with lending aid to the Hello Bully Halfway House for rehabilitated dogs.

The cocktail party-style event will include a DJ, a presentation about Hello Bully and more than 30 raffle baskets valued from $75 to $200. There will be a silent auction and a live auction. April Gruver of , owner of Vanilla Pastry in East Liberty, is donating cupcakes for the gala.

Meloy said she can’t wait to be in a room with more than 400 people who love pit bulls and share a common goal to help the animal.

“You can’t believe everything you see on TV,” Meloy said. “The media portrays these dogs as monsters, and most people who don’t know any better base their perception of these dogs on the news. Most people who have a bad idea about a pit bull have never met one.”

of Braddock Hills is a senior volunteer with Hello Bully and a member of the gala committee. She helped to gather countless donations from local business owners and friends for the raffle. The  and  are among the businesses that donated items.

As a pit bull, the cause is close to Ginsburg’s heart.

“Humans have created a pit bull overpopulation epidemic,” Ginsburg said. “Advocacy is one of the most important things we can do to help pit bulls. This fundraiser helps us to raise money and awareness so that we can continue our mission to ‘rescue, rehabilitate and repair the reputation of the American Pit Bull Terrier.’”

Tickets are $50 for general admission, which includes food. Every guest gets a gift bag filled with coupons, pet-related items and more. VIP tickets are $120 and include  a VIP reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a special gift bag. VIP seating, two drink tickets and table service for those who require it also are included.

Meloy looks forward to furthering the Hello Bully mission and enjoying a successful event.

“They are big lovers, and you can't believe everything you see,” Meloy said. “We have had a lot of success in changing people's minds and perception through everything that we do.”

For more information about Hello Bully and the Lovers Not Fighters gala, visit www.hellobully.com.

Full Disclosure: Forest Hills-Regent Square Local Editor Stephanie Rex is a volunteer at Hello Bully.