The
Vermont Horse Council has set up a fund for those horse owner that have
had damage from Tropical Storm Irene. In addition we will also begin
creating a hay bank to assist owners with financial need who have been
affected by the storm or other economic crisis. You can donate to either
of these funds by indicating Irene Disaster or Hay Bank when writing a
check or using the Donate button below.
The VT Horse Council may also be able to provide emergency assistance
and horse owners can contact Cindy Cross-Greenia
at crossgreenia@gmail or
802-899-3928
Irene
Disaster Relief by Cindy Cross-Greenia
On
August 28th 2011 Vermonters woke to a state that had been
ravaged and torn apart by a Hurrican named Irene. The days following
were a flurry of activity with the state’s humane society’s and rescues
preparing to house displaced animals and feed for those remaining in
homes. As part of the Vermont Humane Federation VHC took the lead in
both identifying affected horse owners and meeting their needs. Some
had lost hay and fencing and some had lost there barns and homes but all
had the determination to keep there beloved horses no matter how it had
to be done.
We
worked closely with the VT Dept. of Agriculture who provided a list of
individuals who were willing to donate hay, equipment and a helping
hand, the vtresponse website was an excellent spot to find hay
donations, and many kind individuals called and emailed directly after
the call went out by facebook, email and our website.
Through
VHC victims of Irene have received donations of over 1200 bales of hay,
countless bags of grain, wormer, fencing and manual labor. We have also
secured 350 bags of shavings from Millbrook Shavings that were sold and
delivered at cost.
We have
raised $1,347.00 above the initial $1000.00 start up fund set by VHC.
VHC has given out over $1100.00 in checks at $50.00 per person to help
with immediate need and the next round will be done by application.
We still
need your help, each week brings at least another victim in need
forward. The donations have all but stopped, there is no hay being
offered for the person who lost the 500 bales that got soaked in the
flood or a backhoe to remove the feet of gravel washed into the barn
that can’t be used The financial donations have ceased and soon there
will be no money left to give The tragedy and it’s victims have begun
to fade from our immediate thoughts as the seasons change and winter
nears.
I personally wish to thank all that have
contributed financially, physically and emotionally to The Vermont Horse
Councils Disaster Fund and relief effort. In the very first days I told
the Dept of Ag. that horse people stick together and we have.
-Cindy
Thank you to all those that have donated
financially to our effort, we can not list you due to privacy but you
know who you are!
For in kind donations, hay collections and hauls,
manual labor and so much more:
Ilene Douglas
Heidi Krantz
Lizbeth Kox
Claudia Tarlov and the New England Dressage Association
Tamara Burke
Beth and Mark Gilpin
John, Randy and Mark – hay producers
Sarah Miller
Rodney Graham
Gary Guerari
The Menonites of VT
Our corporate sponsors:
Gallagher Fencing
Millbrook Shavings
Depot Home and Garden
Tony’s Tack Shop
Vermont Department of Agriculture
www.vtresponse.com
And a very special thank you to:
Leslie Chadwell and Leslie Carlson who have
coordinated the efforts to meet the needs of the horse owners in their
perspective towns.
