By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE — Driven by the generosity of the public and an anonymous donor who pledged to double the total donations generated up to $20,000, Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue (WHHR) had quite a memorable Giving Tuesday fundraiser this year, pulling in a combined estimated amount of $25,000.
First established in 2007, WHHR has helped over 400 horses in need, with many going on to be adopted into new, permanent homes, thanks in large part to the efforts of the team, led by Founder Brenda Thompson.
“This is our third year doing Giving Tuesday. We had a generous donor from Toronto step up and offer up to $20,000 to match all the donations we receive,” said Thompson.
Thompson said that they are still going through all the donations received through various sources during the fundraiser, but she estimates an approximate figure of $12,500 raised through community donations. With the anonymous donor’s contribution, that puts the total raised around $25,000.
Thompson said the donor has offered to donate more on top of what was raised, so she is hopeful that the total amount will end up being even higher.
She explained of the donor, “I met her through a case I was asked to assist with three years ago, where some horses were needing to be placed because the owner had passed away suddenly. So I took seven horses, of which they couldn’t rehome for various reasons.”
“Through that, I met this woman who is so generous to us and really supports us. She comes to the rescue a couple times a year. We’re hoping to have her visit between Christmas and New Year’s again to see all the things that we do,” Thompson said.
She added, “We’re lucky enough that she believes in our work here and continues to support us…. I was ecstatic and so thrilled that she was able to do that for us (at Giving Tuesday). It will have a huge impact here.”
WHHR is planning to put the funds toward the construction of two new paddocks and two new shelters, something “desperately needed” at the rescue, according to Thompson, with all the horses coming in recently.
“We’ve contacted a local fencing company – we do try to support local – and hopefully they’ll be out in the next few weeks to get that fencing in and we’ll have the paddocks completed,” said Thompson.
She concluded by offering thanks to all who took part in the fundraiser: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue would not be what it is today without the public’s support,” she concluded. “We are publicly supported in everything we do. All the hundreds of animals we’ve helped thank you. To our donor, thank you for believing in us, and believing in the work that we do here.”
To find out more about WHHR, including how you can support their efforts through their monthly sponsorship program, visit them online at whhrescue.com.
