On the rescue front. What do you think?

Question

Ok, so my brain is trying to function again, lol. This is something that I thought would be fun but it would take a lot of people willing to organize it throughout the country. A yearly silent auction set at one your big shows each year with proceeds to go to your area's local rescue. Something like a National Silent Auction Fund Raiser, (Save the rescue's theme) Anyone think this would be interesting and would like to do it? If we got enough people to organize and report earnings there could be a yearly proceed count for the nation, ofcourse, we would need 1 (headquarter) to report figures and send out email newsletters to anyone who joined the cause. Anyone with more ideas to add to this?

Bozema - I do agree with you, and I'm sure at the beginning it would be real difficult but, as with other things, over time and advertising, things get larger. A national clean out your tack room thing??? I wouldn't expect it to become a number 1 donation thing but something that can be done at local shows too throughout the year, lots of advertising but I do know it can be done and can stand alone as long as you get enough backers. I guess my theory is, every little bit counts and its something everyone could try to do.... even if its only $15.00 bucks for some, thats a couple bags of feed! I have seen many pretty successful silent auctions here, for a lot less of a 'cause. Bigger and better year end awards... I know we all like 'em but, I'm sure there are more like me that would be willing to give up a bigger award and donate my part.

cns, I agree and would have to some looking as far as a yahoogroup. I will look into it. As far as slaughter... well, that in itself is a different story. All I know is rescues across the country are needing and going to need more help until we find a way to end the ban. Again, that is a completely seperate issue as with or without, rescues always need a little extra, and yes. I'm talking true rescues. If I were to select one I'd go with http://www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/
Anyone want to help? Look at their need listed on this site!
Good ideas, and yes the ride a thon thing sounds like a good idea too!

I DARE YOU! I HAVE JUST DONATED WHAT I COULD TO THE RESCUE... ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME???? THE LINK WAS PROVIDED ABOVE AND THEY ACCEPT PAYPAL PAYMENTS!!!!! THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM, AND WE HAVE BEATEN THE SLAUGHTER SUBJECT TO DEATH... LETS ALL DO SOMETHING, WHAT DO YOU THINK???? THOSE FOR THE BAN... HERE'S A CHANCE TO REALLY HELP "SAVE THE HORSES"!

Oh... to add...I'm not for the ban but.... I'm still trying to do something! C'mon guys... 1 buck, 2 bucks, 20 bucks, whatever......your local rescues need help too! But especially for those who proposed to HELP SAVE THE HORSES.... You must be able to cut down on a new pair of fashion jeans, shoes, makeup or a new show outfit... your old will do for the month and add it to your Christmas list, or you can do with out some of the frills to really HELP!!!! You made your statement on the ban, LETS REALLY DO SOMETHING NOW!

Here, we have suffered a summer of droubt and then major flooding. Other states have too, if you haven't been under mother natures rath in your area... help out those who have! And like stated: Only TRUE rescues so you know your $$$$ goes to good use!

BLESS all of you that have helped a TRUELY needing horse!

Answer 1

I don't show at this time...but an organized trail ride w/ silent auction or "ride-a-thon" would be an interesting and effective means of including riders of all disciplines.

I think absolutely strict, strict, hard-a** guidelines need to be set as to "which" rescues can be benefitted...we want to help true rescues, not horse traders with a sympathetic marketing ploy.

Why don't we (you ;o) ) start a Yahoogroup called "savetherescues" and let us know when it's done...interested people can join and exchange ideas. I posted my "add a bag" idea here and generated some interest. It would be neat to have a forum where we could brainstorm and work on implementation on individual, local, "grassroots" efforts.

It would also be a way for like-minded people to link up and develop ideas to appeal to their respective registries about implementing guidelines to address the overpopulation issue.

I believe the key to ending slaughter is to eliminate the need to cull horses in this way by 1. Not breeding marginal horses and 2, providing viable alternatives.

If you decide to run with a yahoogroup, edit your question's text and let us know... and I'm in.

Answer 2

I think this is a great idea and goes to what someone said awhile ago about the whole feed store thing. Buy a bag of feed and pay for 1/2 of another and the feed store will donate the other half and give the back to a rescue group. I do that here.
I would help in a heartbeat, tell me what to do. I work at a radio station, in fact the biggest country station in Northern California (17 counties). I can put some power behind it and would be happy too! Horses here desperately need help, I see it everyday. They do spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats - what about a geld your horse day at the vet? Get a discount to cut those suckers off and keep the population down! It would help if we could limit the number of stallions running around and getting into the wrong hands.

Answer 3

I love the idea!
Would it be possible to start a foundation, or organization, with members (possibly stupid question, but I honestly have no idea how that works)? Named whatever (like in Texasnascarcowgirls recent question)? Maybe to start off with have a nominal membership fee (that gets donated). Have members vote to which organization gets the donations raised weekly, monthly, yearly? Create a website for members to communicate easier, thoughts, suggestions on raising money in there area, news, pictures, etc? Of course there would have to be volunteers for treasury, secretary, what ever.
I think all the fund raising suggestions previously mentioned are great!
I wonder if you could do something as easy as have a saddle shop or saddle maker donate to the cause and auction it on ebay? Or even as small as putting a jar at the feed store? Which would be feasible for those members that do not currently compete or are out of the loop. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it would be a start and like you said every little bit helps.
I think in order to get a saddle shop, feed store, or whom ever like that to help -we would definitely have to become an real or reputable organization of some sort. How do you do that?
Well, I am behind you! Please let me know if I can help get it organized!

Answer 4

I just took an OTTB and gave $1500 to the rescue for him in the form of a donation. I have been looking at other ways that I could help but I have limited time with work, toddler and new horse. However, I will chip in and do whatever I can to help. I often have to get things for silent auctions for my son's school and have got items like passes to Keeneland racetrack, VIP passes to polo games, stuff like. I'd be more than willing to scout this area which is the supposed "horse capital of the world" and I know people with the TB Retirement Foundation and within the industry. Count me in and you can email me directly with ideas, how you are thinking of doing this etc.
Good idea!

Answer 5

Let me tell you what a charity did in NASCAR and maybe we can do something like they did.

On www.dalejrpitstop.com a lady set up the pit board charity. Everyone that was on the board would donate however much they wanted. She has a list of 42 or so charitys to donate to and before each race she would randomly put each one in a slot. Where ever Dale Jr finished was the charity that got the money. It's a huge charity now!

So, maybe at a show,barrel race, team roping..whatever. We could have a list of charities and before the event everyone draw a number with a charity on it, then whom ever wins the event, the money goes to that charity. Or we could have a name for our group and each week set up a board and then all of us that compete go on line get the info and take it with us to our barrel race or whatever. Once it's over turn the money into the person over the group and that person turn all the monies in at once.
Then we could do the same for a tack clean out, pick a charity roll the dice and go with that one and we all send our stuff to them. Or have several and as a group send stuff to several charities. I like the NSAFR that you talked about, that would be cool.

I'm all up for whatever everyone would like to do. I have lots of free time at work so I can help if needed.

EDIT: I know my barrel club would let me do something with them and a trail ride could be a HUGE endevor but I am up to trying to do one down here. Want help with that yahoogroup?

Answer 6

I think this is a great idea! And I really like the idea of a trail ride for rescues as well.

Plus - there is always the old fashioned bake sale and garage sale! But for the baked goods, you could have horse shaped cookies, and food for the horses.

Start the group - I'd love to help when possible!

Answer 7

Honestly, to make this work, you really need a national umbrella organization, such as a non-profit organization with this mission to organize it. Also, silent auctions are usually a component of another fund raiser, not stand-alone events, so you would need a series of events organized nationwide within the same time period to make it work. And each event would need a local organizing committee. Silent auctions are a huge amount of work - getting donations alone is a major effort and they don't always raise that much money. Our organization makes a lot more money with live auctions at our events - with fewer, more expensive items. But it takes someone who is unafraid to go up to major donors and ask for major items to be donated - it's always work to get those donations. And it's a ton of work to organize events and get enough volunteers.

Answer 8

I donate 2 to 3 xs a year to horse rescues. I have been doing it befor the ban came to. Your idea is good. I don't know how to get it going or anything, but I would like to keep up dated!!! Great question!!!!!!