Volunteerism - Starving Horses

[findingdeadbeats]

I am wondering what, if anything, others here do to volunteer or otherwise support your community? Do you have a cause you love to spend time on or donate your money to?

For a while now I have thought that one way to eventually find a decent job in my county might be to go out and about and meet people from time to time. (small town life... and I am a total homebody biologically unrelated to anyone else in the county. Major barriers to good employment in an area where Jim Bob calls up John Boy and that is how people find jobs here....)

In addition, I believe the theory that you have to have work/productivity for other people in your life to find happiness and stave off depression. (both good issues for me to work on)

We had a case recently in our town where someone left three horses to starve in a field. One was near death and they buried it while it was still alive. Neighbors were outraged and actually filmed them burying the still alive horse, which I understand was making noise that attracted the neighbor's attention.

The neighbors had apparently been calling Animal Control who has no funding and little they can do with large animals. Apparently the neighbors finally dug-in their heels and told the sheriff that they would call every 15 minutes until someone finally responded to this insanity. They also found a horse rescue group locally and together they were able to get the sheriff out and take the horses.

Mostly animal control ignores most anything in the county that they do not have to absolutely deal with because we are remote, rural and the rules here are a bit different than you find in the city.

We are a "fence out" open range county. (The movie was written here by that name.) So, you are told when you move here that if you want other people's animals to not be on your property it is your thing to deal with.

For roaming/dumped/loose dogs, we were told by animal control to either tie them to a tree, bring them in if we could catch them, or that we are free to kill them via firearm if they are a problem... First place I ever lived where animal control tells you to actually kill a dog that is being a problem... I think I will pass on that suggestion....

In response to the starved horses, (one died in the hole, another was put down because it would not recover, and the third has now gained 100+ pounds at a local rescue.) there is a movement to create a Hay Bank in our area. It will be like a food pantry for livestock. That way, when people come upon hard times, there will be somewhere they can turn to get feed for their animals.

We have large hay producers here in our county and a ton of agriculture. I have a strong belief that any farmer who grows hay would likely donate a few bales to know that someone's horse is not starving down the road. So, this is my new cause! Contacted them and I am now going to do some serious fund/hay raising for them.

Here is the newspaper article if anyone wants to read about it. I think it's a pretty cool project.

www.mtshastanews.com/news/x43409905/Rescue-network-hay-bank-envisioned-for-horses

[moxie]

Lately, I have been interested in donating clothing to organizations who give it to those in need within the community. Not like a Good Will (where they can purchase it) even though I like what Good Will is about, but to a group who doesn't charge their clients who are in need clothing.

[findingdeadbeats]

We have an organization I have seen here which takes donations of clothing and then a couple times a year has a "free" yard sale where people can come shopping. It seems to draw a lot of people.

Also, I had a friend who used to work with a church who somehow hooked up with the local WalMart because they will donate all of their unsold clothing for causes like this. They used to go pick up the clothes every month or two, and then distribute them to people in need. I love programs like that.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Horse farm's mission inspires others to help
By Jackie Loohauis-Bennett of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 24, 2011
Refuge Farms, sanctuary for unwanted horses

Refuge Farms sanctuary gives free rein to hope
Horse farm's mission inspires others to help

Spring Valley, Wis. - Sandy Gilbert, 57, heads Refuge Farms, the horse sanctuary that has drawn more than 3,000 visitors in the last three years who want to meet the abused horses she brings here for care.

Gilbert founded Refuge Farms after she helped fellow CEO Andy Durco Jr. search for "the perfect horse." At the same time, he also saved an un-perfect horse, a clubfoot destined for the kill pen.

He gave Gilbert that horse he named "Charity Case" and, Gilbert says, "told me 'Sandy, you take this horse and make a difference in somebody's life.' "

Soon afterward, Durco was injured in a fall and became a quadriplegic. His words stayed with her. With Durco's legal expertise, she created the not-for-profit rescue that some horse experts say is matchless.

"She spiritually believes that ending or diminishing suffering, even for a short period of time, is a critical part of her mission," says Julia Wilson, of Turner Wilson Equine Consulting in Minnesota.

The story of Gilbert and her rescue work is spreading. Jack Hearst, head of Milwaukee's Hearst Marketing Resources, does promotion for WESTconsin Credit Union, and he heard about Gilbert from an employee there who met her when she came to ask for a $300 loan "to save three lives."...

There's more but that's what was easy to cut and paste. www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/horse-farms-mission-inspires-others-to-help-132506998.html is the link.

*-*-*-*-
Good for you Shasta. Don't know if the stuff I cut and pasted will help you any but one never knows.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

"I am wondering what, if anything, others here do to volunteer or otherwise support your community? Do you have a cause you love to spend time on or donate your money to?"

I volunteer full-time with The Cat House on the Kings (www.Cathouseonthekings.com) ~ a large cat rescue and sanctuary located in central California. In addition to serving as an adoption counselor, foster mom, and serving on the fundraising committee, I am the administrator for their very active (21,500+ fan) Facebook page. We also do animal rescue transport for other rescues, and I help with community TNR programs.

[findingdeadbeats]

Wow, I have actually heard about your cat rescue! My BFF from my Kaiser days works with the SF City animal shelter. (Facebook page - adds to my list of things to suggest we do!)

Wisconsin Beth - thanks for the link. This is a new area for me, I have only done fund raising for schools in the past.

I just keep reading about the horse case and it is disgusting to me that probably a mile down the road is where I used to purchase my hay from. I know if anyone had asked, they would have given them hay for their animals.

I see this project kinda like Freecycle where you find someone with something to give, find someone who needs it, and bingo.

I know that if I grew hay, I would happily donate some if there was a need identified.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We have a pet food bank in town ~ it's greatly appreciated by those in need.

[midjd]

Our local bar association has a "Talk to a Lawyer Today" program - two nights a week, an attorney is at the public library to answer legal questions and provide advice. I usually put in a couple of hours every couple of months. There are a lot of people who probably don't need an attorney, but do need a few minutes of advice so they don't go off half-cocked on whatever they're doing.

I have to walk a fine line with that (the terms of my employment forbid me from giving legal advice or engaging in private representation) but I'm allowed to give information, so it's basically a matter of using the word "could" instead of "should"

[shanendoah]

Our dogs have all been adopted from shelters.
We foster through a rescue called Old Dog Haven.
We donate all old towels and blankets to the county animal shelter (which has less money to run on than the privately run shelters)
Most other items get donated to Value Village (no religious affiliation in their charities)
My old work clothes go to an organization the provides interview clothes for women in shelters.
Christmas gifts to my family are donations to charities we all support (like Pets2Vets)

Just today, we donated to an organization called Donor's Closet, which takes durable medical equipment (including non-working mobility scooters) and refurbishes it for low income folks.

[moxie]

"Also, I had a friend who used to work with a church who somehow hooked up with the local WalMart because they will donate all of their unsold clothing for causes like this. They used to go pick up the clothes every month or two, and then distribute them to people in need. I love programs like that."

Thanks! I am going to investigate that.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

I really like the programs where you can donate suits and other professional clothing to be given to low-income people. I think this is important because nice professional clothing is expensive and it isn't something that most people have a lot of (Especially those who haven't gotten into the job market or haven't been there is awhile). I tend to wear jeans/tshirt every day so I can imagine that most people wouldn't set out to buy professional clothing if they don't have a job and have limited clothing funds.

[The Home 6]

I make blue jean/uniform quilts for soldiers. It is so gratifying to me to be able to give something back to those who are sacrificing so much.

The army is switching over to a different style of uniforms in a few months, and I'm so excited...because I'm asking our entire battalion to give me their old uniforms ;D If anyone wants to donate old blue jeans to me, send me a PM, and I'll get you my address!

[findingdeadbeats]

The Home 6 - That sounds like a great project! I saved a couple pairs of my DH's pants to make something someday for the kids out of them. I want to make some pillows or lap quilts or something.

[The Home 6]

Shasta~ wonderful idea! After my uncle passed away, my aunt gave all of his jeans to my mom to make into a quilt for her (my aunt and uncle's) son. It is quite easy, and a fine way to have something of your husband's that you can give to your kids.