Dear Friends Of Happy Trails,
We are still reeling from the recent holiday season, when we were simply overwhelmed with the kindness and thoughtfulness of sanctuary supporters who arrived bearing gift items of animal supplies, bags of grain, blankets for the piggies, bottled water, pop and work gloves for the hard-working volunteers, new heated water buckets, fruit and veggies for animal snacks, and much, much more!
We were simply amazed once again at the sheer number of animal-lovers who sponsored a rescued animal for a friend, family member or co-worker for Christmas — you guys kept Sharon busy all the way up through...well, through New Year's Day, with requests for last minute Christmas and New Year's sponsorships! You guys are AWESOME! The animals are as grateful as we are that so many people want to help out with their care, and they all thought they looked rather special in their holiday photos with their Santa hats and reindeer antlers and Christmas bibs, thanks to the creativity of Happy Trails President, Sharon Barnard!
A special thank you goes out to all the fantastic folks at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron! Happy Trails rescued animals were residents of the historic estate from Thanksgiving through the weekend after Christmas, and four geese and two sheep repesented the rescued animals of Happy Trails. The staff of Stan Hywet was welcoming, friendly and so very kind, and they made sure to keep our Happy Trails volunteers from turning into icicles in the evening by offering hot chocolate and hot tea! This was an incredible opportunity to meet literally thousands upon thousands of guests from absolutely everywhere, and to hand out newsletters and information about the sanctuary. THANKS STAN HYWET!!! And thanks to our well-insulated volunteers who stood outside with the animals from 5pm to 8pm every night to talk to their visitors — you guys were such troopers!
The other thing that blew us away this year was the number of phone calls and notes we received from families who agreed that instead of exchanging family gifts this year, they were going to remember the rescued animals of Happy Trails, and sent in donations on behalf of their family. We are eternally grateful for this selfless holiday gesture, and our hats are off to all the families who came to this decision — you have made a huge difference in our ability to care for the rescued animals!
Happy Trails received notes and letters from animal lovers everywhere, and we made sure that we read each and every one of them! Sometimes it's your words of encouragement that keep us going — your words of inspiration and of confidence that mean a great deal and help us to continue on with what is often difficult and heartbreaking work. You are truly "the wind beneath our wings"!
Please know that the Happy Trails Board of Directors, volunteer staff, and all of the rescued farm animals and horses, wish to express our deepest gratitude for your support of our animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts — May God bless you in 2009 and may your generosity and caring come back to you in many, many ways!
And may our Creator give us the guidance, strength, wisdom and resources needed to continue our work to help bring about an end to animal cruelty and abuse. Wishing you all a peaceful, compassionate and caring New Year! Many, many thanks!
Annette
Annette Fisher
Executive Director
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Inc.
(330) 296-5914
www.happytrailsfarm.org
