While Scratchin' Noggin Nagin is dreaming of a "chocolate city," and La Dithering Blanco is whining for more money to build up Louisiana (now, just what happened to that 60 billion they got over the past couple of decades to build up the levy?) ... the folks over at Hopeful Haven are still plugging away, delivering hay, medicine, vaccine and other supplies to beleagured ranchers. The goal is to get the ranchers and their livestock through until Spring, and it's still touch and go for many.
Debra Barlow's putting a call out for a couple more pushes to deliver supplies.
She writes:
OLD VOLUNTEERS AND NEW ONES! JUMP ON OUR CONVOYS! WE NEED TO GET ENOUGH FEED AND MONEY FOR THESE LAST TWO CONVOYS. WE NEED TO SUPPLY THE RANCHERS AND FARMERS WITH ENOUGH TO GET THEM THROUGH THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND JUMP ABOARD!!!
This weekend we will be going to Fla to be the recipients of a check for the hurricane relief.
We also have 2000 bales of hay on it's way to distribute next weekend for our ranchers. Tallied up this weekend we are feeding 52 ranches, 2387 cattle and 358 horses. That's a lot.
We have taken in 157 and a half tons of feed in addition to hay and medical supplies. That is a lot for one group to accomplish and we couldn't have made or completed this committment without all of you! So pat yourselves on the back for a job well done, because all I can say is God Bless you all for your continued support and generosity!!!
I hope to have some of you come on board for the last few trips. All monies that we have at the end of our convoys will be spent on as much feed as possible to help them make it through the next few months. Those that are on the $10 a month club for feed, please send in the rest of your committment if you haven't already done so. We appreciate you, the ranchers appreciate you, and the animals appreciate you!!!!
Someone told me that God had a special place for me...don't throw dirt on my yet...hehe...I am not through here....as long as he gives me a horse to ride over the rainbow bridge because most of you know that I can't walk with the ol' knees and back so I will be happy with that. This has been the most humbling experience for me.
Our motto is "rebuilding broken spirits" and I think we have held true to that motto in more ways than one! Read below for the rest of the convoy schedules! I will be delivering feed on my way to Fla to Hancock County Humane Society in MS, compliments of Animal Welfare in Shreveport, La.
Every animal needs feed so let's all keep up the good work
She forwarded some specific information:
1/5/06 – Be a HHERO! Volunteer for Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization Convoys Serving Erath and Henry Regions of Vermillion Parish
http://www.hopefulhaven.com/If ever a horse needs a helping hand, please God, let it be ours. Horses can swim a mile. Cows (who knew?) can swim five miles. But neither could outpace a hurricane surge 28 miles inland. Pasture lands were ravaged. Some areas became watery graves for animals.
Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue will continue to provide hay and feed for ranchers, to keep their animals alive in holding pens.By the time Hopeful Haven’s commitment concludes on March 4, 2006, winter’s rain and spring’s renewal may freshen salt-coated grasses. In the meantime, your help is needed!
Here's the convoy schedule:
HHERO’S HURRICANE CONVOY SCHEDULESCHEDULED CONVOYS:
February 17-18March 3-4Convoys generally leave on Friday afternoon.Contact Debra Barlow to confirm departure dates: 318-286-3116 * hopefulhaven@yahoo.com **
March 3 convoy will stay over Friday night.Will distribute feed Saturday morning and stay for a get together at the cafe Saturday night returning Sunday morning. This will be our final distribution to the ranchers.
Sleeping arrangements are available. Bring sleeping bags if a lot of people coming.
CONYOY DEPARTURE POINTS:Volunteer convoys leave from Shreveport, Louisiana.Take I-49 South to Lafayette.Travel the 339 to Erath, Louisiana
Depending upon where you are traveling from, you may join convoy in Shreveport, or meet the convoy in Lafayette, Louisiana.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER FOR HOPEFUL HAVEN CONVOYSContact Debra Barlow, president, Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization cell: 318-286-3116 * hopefulhaven@yahoo.com1.) Register your name/contact information with Debra Barlow. Let her know which convoy (date) you can join and if other people are joining you.
2.) Prepare an itemized sheet of the supplies you can bring with you. Include donor’s name/address for all donated items
And, here's what they're asking for:
hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
SUPPLY NEEDS
Hay (critical need)
Horse Feed/Cattle Feed (critical need)
Range Cubes
Barbed Wire
T-Posts
Troughs
There is still a severe hay shortage in Southern parishes due to contamination from salt water. All contributions are greatly appreciated and will be distributed on convoys.Contact Debra Barlow directly to arrange supply shipments:cell: 318-286-3116; hm: 318-925-4272;
MONETARY DONATIONS
1.) Send tax-deductible donations to:Hopeful Haven Equine RescueP.O. 17763 Shreveport, LA 71138
2.) Donate online via Hopeful Haven’s Pay Pal account:http://www.hopefulhaven.com/webscr.htm
3.) JOIN HOPEFUL HAVEN’S $10-A-MONTH CLUB!
Got $10.00? You could be a member! Your $10.00 a month will help us buy feed, hay, and all the vital items to care for a horse. It will also help fund veterinary care for our rescues. You will receive a quarterly newsletter to let you see what good things your $10-a-month are doing!To join HHERO’s $10-A-Month Club, email: hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
4.)TRUCKERS!!!Don't go empty! Get a tax donation slip for hauling hay.
I have hay that was donated to me for my ranchers that I am feeding. If you are a trucker and want to get a tax donation slip for the hay I need hauled, and you can haul it for me, please call me. I have hay in Kentucky that needs to come to Erath, La
Lordy, while everybody else in the Katrina strike zone is demanding money, money and more money ... these guys are most focused on hay, and how to transport the hay.
God Bless, and Godspeed...
UPDATE: I've been blogging in support of HHERO since Katrina hit. Here's a link that will give you a history of their efforts -- and they have been (h)heroic ... ¶ 8:17 AM
