THOMASVILLE- Thomasville Humane hosted their inaugural Collections Event at the home of Hope and Todd Whiddon on Saturday evening, where more than 100 guests enjoyed vintage Land Rovers and memorabilia, live music, and supporting the Humane Society’s mission.

The Collections Event was the brainchild of Thomasville Humane Executive Director, Chandler Giddes after he visited the Whiddon’s home.

“We have some local supporters (Todd and Hope) and they decided they wanted to host a Christmas event for the Humane Society at their home, which would be a fundraiser to celebrate and support our organization,” Giddes said. “Initially, he wanted to do a National Lampoon Christmas Vacation party.”

Giddes said Todd had purchased an airstream camper and had intentions of dressing it up just as Uncle Eddie did in the Christmas classic.

“He had all these ideas and everyone was going to wear tacky Christmas sweaters,” Giddes said. “I loved the idea, but I didn’t really know how to market it, so I wanted to see his house and see where all this was going to take place.”

While visiting the home for a walkthrough, Giddes found an unbelievable collection of Land Rovers and memorabilia.

“I stopped the tour and said ‘Todd, this is who you are. This is your passion and this is your event; we have to show people this.’ I want to celebrate you two and your home and who you are as people,” Giddes said.

Giddes went to work on finding a way to showcase Todd’s amazing collection intimately and elegantly.

“They were very generous in opening their doors and showing people what he has, which is just an unbelievable and awesome collection,” Giddes said.

Since the idea’s inception, Giddes has secured the 2025 and 2026 collection and location for the Collections Event, as it was such a massive success.

“We want to showcase some very unique and private collections that support our mission and our community,” he said.

The collection’s allure brought in guests from across the area, including families from Lake City, Florida.

“They were avid Land Rover owners,” Giddes explained.

Guests were also intrigued to hear from the keynote speaker Editor of Rovers Magazine, Jeffrey Aronson.

During the course of Aronson’s speech, Giddes learned that owners view their Land Rovers as true companions.

“We are in the business of companionship,” he said. “Our pets are our companions and if there’s a product we sell, it’s the idea and emotion of companionship, so it was a really cool tie-in to see someone so passionate about their cars while being in the home of someone equally passionate about their pets.”

Through the passion and generosity of guests in attendance, Thomasville Humane was able to add money to their Emergency Medical Fund.

“These dollars are directly funding support for Thomas County and the people and pets who live here,” Giddes said.