Hurry Before 6 p.m.: Large Animal Benefit Under Way

Cheesecakes, pig-decorated cookies, hats and meat are being raffled off today for the annual MERS (Missouri Emergency Response Service) Large Animal Rescue organization at the . is a Wildwood-based non-profit whose volunteers rescue large animals of all types throughout the St. Louis metropolitan and Illinois region.

The benefit also includes a silent auction and barbecue until 6 p.m. today. Supporters can get to-go food plates, too. Members of the Happy Trails Riding Club hosted a bakery today and donated all the proceeds to MERS.

Silent auction items include: outdoor furniture, cleaning products, jewelry, hoof picks, handmade horse hair earrings, St. Louis Cardinal tickets, restaurant certificates, carriage rides, dog training certificates, dentistry whitening certificates, a package, dog/cat portraits, paintings, a Trade Joes food bag, a basket from , horse feed, a Jenn-Air microwave, books, Halloween decorations, a motorcycle helmet, coat hangers made from horse shoes, a gas grill, animal-theme kids' toys, candle holders, woodworking items, cheeseboards, a wine tasting event, a socket set, house decoration items, camping gear, candles for pet odor, painted gourds and a fishing prep set.

"We've been out on six (rescue) calls this month already, making it 31 for the entire year so far," said Roger Vincent, .

said proceeds would go toward purchasing new rescue equipment, a second trailer, and essentials such as volunteer helmets. MERS does not charge the recipients of their services. They have rescued Clydesdales, camels, horses, cows, and exotic animals, for example.

Two different bands entertained attendees at today's fundraiser.