BRANFORD – The Branford Compassion Club (BCC) feline rescue and adoption organization celebrates its 20th anniversary Friday, May 19 with Swing Cats Cocktail Party, a Swing era-themed benefit, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club in Branford.

Attendees will be transported back to a '40s nightclub and get "in the mood" with the spirited dancing music of the aptly named The Survivors Swing Band, inspired by its lively 95-year-old sax player Jules Bashkin.

Just as BCC has survived and grown from a small group of volunteers working out of their homes to an 80-plus-member organization of volunteers with its own Feline Rescue & Adoption Center in North Branford, The Survivors Swing Band players gleefully carry on their mission of keeping alive the music of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and other musical giants of the 1930s and '40s.

"I'm so proud of all our dedicated volunteers and supporters who have helped Branford Compassion Club reach this amazing milestone," said BCC President and Shelter Manager Patricia Cotton.  "It's been a lot of hard work, but it's all worth it when you see homeless cats and kittens go home to loving families and know that we make a difference in the everyday lives of those less fortunate cats who we care for in our area colonies.  We celebrate all that, and look forward to more decades of compassion."

There will be dancing, silent auction, yummy hors d'oeuvres stations, surprises and a lot of appreciation to those who have supported the privately funded BCC for two decades. Attire of the 1940's is encouraged, but not required.

This is one of only two major annual fundraisers which help defray the daunting task of keeping BCC's shelter open and vibrant. The other is Animal Awareness Day, October 1 on the Branford Green. Branford Compassion Club raises awareness about the importance of spay/neutering felines, aids in the adoption of homeless cats and cares for the unadoptable in area feral colonies. These cats are trapped, neutered and released into the perpetual care of BCC volunteers. In addition to the thousands of cats adopted since BCC's founding in 1997, its Feline Rescue & Adoption Center has found homes for more than 1,500 cats since it opened in 2011. See how your dollars are at work by visiting BCC's Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road, North Branford; Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

BCC's 20th Anniversary Swing Cats Cocktail Party is Friday May 19 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club, 2 Club Parkway, Branford. Tickets, $75 per person, are available here  or by emailing bccspecialevents32@gmail.com.  To donate to BCC or volunteer, visit BCC's website here or call (203) 483-6369.