“Barn Raising Gala” Raises $88,860 for Horse Rescue Farm

Lisbon, MD — The “Barn Raising Gala” for Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) was held Saturday, April 3, 2004 at the prestigious Avenel Country Club in Potomac, Maryland. Approximately 150 people attended this event and were enchanted by WUSA, Channel 9 anchor woman Gurvir Dhindsa, the Hostess for the event as she spoke about her life with horses and the mission of Days End Farm to rescue and rehabilitate abused and neglected horses. A silent auction started off the event, held from 6 pm to 8 pm, with the assistance of WHFS Disc Jockey, Rob Timm as Emcee and “cajoler of bidding.” The auction alone raised approximately $25,000.

A seated dinner in Avenel’s club house was held following the auction with speakers that included: Gurvir Dhindsa, Rob Timm, Theresa Zseleczky - Board President, Nicky Ratliff - Director of Carroll County Humane Society, and Kathleen and Allan Schwartz - founders of Days End Farm Horse Rescue nearly 15 years ago. The highlight of the evening, however, was a video. The video, created by Keegan Skipper, a 14 year old DEFHR volunteer, brought down the house! It was about Days End Farm and showed before and after pictures of the horses, and a tour of the farm and its inhabitants. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Following the program, Rob Timm challenged each table to a competition to see which table would raise the most money raffling off the centerpieces. Winning table #2 raised $748 for their centerpiece, with the other tables not far behind. Thanks to the guests, silent auction item donors, advertisers and sponsors (Mattress Warehouse, The Taylor Family Foundation, Sealy Mattress Company, Serta Mattress Company, The Washington Post, The Henry Family Foundation, William and Sandra Rogers, Hillstreet Bedding, Thomas Moloney, The Michael and Judy Steinhardt Foundation, and The Boyer Gilbert Family Foundation) for their participation in this event which enabled Days End Farm Horse Rescue to raise $88,860, bringing their “Farm Fund” total to almost $150,000.

As Days End Farm Horse Rescue continues to grow, so does the need for adequate space all the horses and programs require. Their current, 16 acre, location is now literally bursting at the seams, with every square inch in use. Recently, their eight-acre critical care and isolation barn, just up the road from the main farm (also leased), was listed for sale. And yet, abused and neglected horses continue to arrive, looking for help, a new chance for a quality of life, and a loving owner/family. DEFHR’s New Farm Campaign was created to raise funds needed to purchase a turnkey equestrian farm, and the “Barn Raising Gala” was the kick-off for the campaign.

DEFHR is a nonprofit volunteer based organization established in 1989 to ensure quality care and treatment of equines through rehabilitation and humane education, which survives solely through donations from the public and foundations and receives no government or state funding. Currently, the farm is home to 43 equines that range in a variety of breeds, which need love and care. For more information about DEFHR or if you would like to donate to their “Farm Fund,” visit their web site at www.defhr.org or contact them at 301-854-5034 for a tour of the farm.

 

 

 

For more information call:
301/854-5037 or 410/442-1564
E-Mail: info@defhr.org

Physical Address:
1372 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, MD 21797

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 309
Lisbon, Maryland 21765

directions

Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer based humane organization whose mission is Fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education, and outreach.