1. Exotic Feline Rescue Center

The Exotic Feline Rescue Center is a nationally recognized leader in big cat rescue, conservation, and care. This beautiful Rescue is located just a short drive away in Center Point, Indiana. This package includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and overnight stay at the Center. You’ll meet the founder/operator of the Center, sleep in a guest apartment right next to tigers and panthers, watch the morning feeding, and even more—if you have an adventurous spirit!

2. Luxury Box Seats from O’Brien

Root for the Illini from the best seats in the house! You will receive four tickets to the November 19, Illinois vs. Wisconsin game in the O’Brien Auto Park, Urbana Luxury Suite on the 40 yard line.The suite offers a magnificent bird’s eye view of the game and includes catered food and drink before, during, and after the game. Included is a beautiful Illini candle lantern.

 3. Bathroom Renovation 

Freshen up your bathroom with a new granite countertop and sink, backsplash, professional paint job, new flooring, and 10 hours of labor. Donated by RenoInnovations, The Handyman Innovative Construction Group, A to Z Painting, and Flooring America.

4. U of I Men’s Basketball Package

Have a ball with four A-section tickets to a regular season U ofI Men’s Basketball game (TBA). Before or after the game, enjoydinner for four with wine at Champaign’s newest restaurant, Carmon’s Bistro. Carmon’s features thoughtful combinations of seasonal local produce, cheeses, meats, poultry and eggs all prepared with the innovation that only Thad Morrow and Josh Boyd of award winning Bacaro can offer. Bon Appetit from Jim and Cheryle Turner and Carmon’s Bistro.

5. Dinner for four with Firemen of the Champaign Fire Department

The Champaign Fire Department welcomes you and three guests to dinner at the station house, and a tour of Fire Station 6 on Windsor Road in Champaign. Firefighters are known for cooking hearty, sumptuous meals. This is a rare opportunity for civilians to taste a fine firehouse meal for themselves. After dinner, your party will get a complete tour of the station and a firsthand account of life on the job for a firefighter. Take home 2 T-shirts, a windshirt, and a visor from the Champaign Fire Department. Exclusive to the Fur Ball, this is an experience that you cannot buy, so don’t let your neighbor out-bid you on this hot opportunity.

6. Bacaro Dinner

Champaign’s Bacaro restaurant has been featured in Bon Appetit and Cucina Italiana magazines and has received awards from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator. Chef’s Thad Morrow and Michael Miller have offered up a six course array of culinary delights from Bacaro’s award winning tasting menu and will pair them with exceptional wines from the equally impressive wine list. Bring three of your foodie friends and enjoy the finest that Central Illinois has to offer! Thanks to Thad Morrow and Bacaro Restaurant, downtown Champaign.

7. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Enjoy the beautiful Midwestern sky with a one-hour hot air balloon ride for two. In a hot air balloon, it feels as if you have become detached from the earth itself and are part of the wind, floating gently as the world turns without you. Share this unforgettable experience with a special someone. This unique experience has been generously donated by Dave and Kathy Reineke.

8. Website Design by VooDoo Rhino

With this inclusive package, VooDoo Rhino will design and implement a website just for you or your business. Use this opportunity to go global and reach millions of people world-wide. Your site can include a photo and video gallery, sound integration and up to 12 pages of content. Not only will VooDoo Rhino create your site, but they will also train you to edit it and give you a year of technical support. For more details on this package, see the live auction display.

9. Rod Sickler Salon & Spa Package and more…

A day of beauty and wellness at Rod Sicker Salon & Spa. This package includes three Personal Training Sessions, a Chiropractic Wellness exam and consultation with Dr. Andrew Tunstall, a 60 minute full-body massage, an upgraded spa manicure and pedicure, and a hair care package, including cut, styling, and gloss treatment. Enjoy a photography session with Photographer Michael Judge. Donated by Rod Sickler Salon, Dr. Andrew Tunstall, Boutique Personal Training Studio, and Michael Judge Photography.

10. Alto Vineyards

Since Alto Vineyards’ first vintage in 1988, their wines have won numerous medals in national and international wine competitions. The Renzaglia family takes great pride in growing high quality grapes and producing award winning wines. Your two-hour wine tasting will include a brief exposition of Alto Vineyards’ history, a lesson on how to taste wine, and then a tasting of five wines covering the spectrum of each of the Alto Vineyards varieties. Along with the tasting, each person will receive a glass of their favorite Alto Vineyards wine in a souvenir glass. This is a rare treat!

11. The Journey Home

Every animal that has come through CCHS on a journey from abandonment to love and safety has done so thanks to the generosity of people like you. Enjoy tonight’s story of adoption, gratitude and companionship, then raise your paddle to make more journeys home possible for pets in need.

12. Destin, Florida Tennis Vacation

Enjoy five nights of accommodation in Destin Florida’s Top Beach and Racquet Resort. This ocean front condo has living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and 2 baths and sleeps 6. Prepare before you go with a Professional tennis lesson with Brad Dancer complete with a racquet autographed by Ryler DeHeart, former Illini and current professional tennis player. Condo is subject to availability. 2012 Availability: Jan 1–15, April 14–May 20, August 1–Dec 15th. Generously donated by Jim & Barb Kurley, Brad Dancer, and Ryler DeHeart

13. Dinner for Eight by Chef Matthew Gipson

Eight guests will be treated to a five course dinner in the home of Chef Matthew Gipson and Dr. James Shepherd. Dinner will be specially prepared by Chef Matthew Gipson of California’s Sonoma County wine country. For over twenty years, Chef Matthew specialized in the pairing of food and wine for numerous wineries in both Napa and Sonoma by creating dishes that would best compliment the featured wines of the times. During his career, he has cooked side by side with famous chefs Emeril Lagasse and Julia Child, and has been published in several newspapers, magazines, and cookbooks abroad. He traveled extensively as manager and chef of the luxurious private railcar, Bella Vista, which he helped to design for a long-time client. Before moving to the Midwest, he catered to a diverse clientele of famous actors, authors and politicians. He now resides in Urbana with his partner Dr. James Shepherd and their two dogs, Copper and Macy.

14. Dennis Lewis Painting

A custom painting of your pet by Dennis Lewis, awardwinning local artist. Dennis has a way of capturing your pet’s personality on canvas. What a beautiful way to honor the furry friends in your family. Dennis can come to your home and photograph your pet or can use an existing photo as his guide. A $200 gift certificate from Prairie Gardens for framing your precious painting.

15. Pet Photography Portrait & CCHS Holiday Card Cover

Your pet can be the CCHS poster child for this year’s 2011 Holiday Card. Local photographer, Glen Dimock will visit your home to photograph your pet for the cover of the CCHS Holiday Card. In addition, this package includes a sitting for the entire family. You will receive all photos electronically and one print of your choice. CCHS staff will select the best image of your pet to be featured as the cover of the CCHS Holiday Card.