Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009

Equine shelter Begin Again Farms holds fundraiser Saturday with slew of events

For the second year, Begin Again Farms, Inc., a 47-acre equine shelter in Ellerslie, Ga., is holding a fundraiser in conjunction with the National Rescue Ride.

The National Rescue Ride is a national fundraiser for charities across the nation to benefit abused and abandoned horses. Begin Again Farms will host its ride from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

“This is our biggest fundraiser,” said Ashley Marston, Fundraising Coordinator.

People can either bring their horse to ride or their walking shoes to walk along a 2- to 3-mile trail on Begin Again Farms property.

“Each year we hope to open new trails to make (the ride/walk) longer and more adventurous,” said Rhonda Jackson, president of Begin Again Farms.

Marston said that last year’s turnout of 200 people helped the organization raise $7,500 to pay for food, medicine and other needs of the animals on the farm.

“We hope to double what we had last year,” said Jackson, who noted that prices on supplies, as well as taxes, have increased this year.

In addition to the ride and walk, there will be a silent auction and raffle; vendors will be selling lunch plates, ice cream and jewelry. A photo booth will be set up where people can get their pictures taken with a horse.

Plants will be for sale as part of the Begin Again Farm Plant Project. Plants can be purchased in $15, $25, $50, $75 and $100 bundles; the trees, shrubs, bulbs or wildflowers will be planted by a volunteer along the riding trails. This project benefits both Begin Again Farms and the American Cancer Society.

Adoption and sponsorship information will also be available to those interested in giving a horse a home or supporting a horse’s needs as it stays at the shelter.

The adoption process can take a long time to make sure the horse and owner are a good match, said Jackson.

“Sometimes is takes several years for the right horse to come in,” she added.

Donations needed

Although the farm has received a few small grants, it survives on donations, Marston said. The registration fee for the walk goes to the National Rescue Ride foundation.

Any kind of donation is accepted, including monetary donations and supplies needed for the 44 horses currently being cared for at the farm.

Donated materials, labor and transportation are responsible for the two new arenas at the farm. The arenas are used to train and ride horses.

“This ride is very important to us because this tells us whether we’re going to be here next year,” said Jackson.

While Jackson’s purpose is healing and caring for abused and abandoned horses, the animals have done just as much for her health. When she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, 10 years ago, the horses were her therapy.

“This is what keeps me healthy. They’ve been very healing for me,” she said.

In addition to the horses, Begin Again Farms has also taken in a mule, three donkeys, a calf, two miniature ponies and several cats.

So far this year, Begin Again Farms has adopted out 19 horses and two more are in the process of being adopted.

“For me, it’s a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week job,” said Jackson. “(At Begin Again Farms), it’s all about the animal and finding a forever home.”