Welcome to the

Illinois Equine Humane Center

Let 'em eat hay fundraiser

Dear members and friends,

With the first cutting of the 2010 hay crop only a few short weeks away, the ILEHC is asking for your help to secure as much hay as possible to feed our rescued and owner relinquished equine guests.

First cutting hay generally offers the highest nutritional value of the year's hay crop and because it also offers the greatest yield it is usually able to be purchased at a fair price, therefore, now is the ideal time for the ILEHC to purchase the hay we need for the remainder of the year.

Last year we fed-out over 3,500 bales of hay at a cost of more than $17,500. Thankfully a generous grant from the ASPCA helped to cover about 1/4 of our 2009 hay expenses. We anticipate that our hay needs will be greater this year and unfortunately, the ASPCA emergency hay grant is no longer available, so we are really going to need your help to feed our horses now more than ever.

In addition to our urgent hay needs, the horses are also due for their annual dental exam/care and Coggins testing; we also require funding to meet other routine expenses such as farrier care, feed, bedding, dietary supplements, etc.

No amount is too small - $5 will buy one bale of hay, $50 will buy 10 bales, and a $100 donation will buy 20 bales of hay. If each of our members and supporters on this list were to donate $50 (10 bales) we'd be able to secure enough hay to keep our herd fit as a fiddle for the remainder of the year! I know in my heart that together we can do this, so I will start the ball rolling by donating 20 bales myself.

Online donations to our Let 'em eat hay campaign can be made at the website through the Donate button above or checks can be mailed to: ILEHC - 9N673 Kendall Road - Elgin, IL 60124

As always we thank you for your continued support!

Gail Vacca, President
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP