In July 2012, my husband Don and I decided that we wanted to start a non profit organization to help as many people and animals in the southeast Georgia area as possible. Little did we know then just how expensive this idea was going to be! We had run a few successful businesses and had put away a pretty good life savings. From the cost to become non profit ($500) to the licensing ($350/ a year) to the insurance ($1200/ a year) we should have had a pretty good idea!
Then came all the animals.... In 2013, we had over 1,000 animals come in to the farm (50 of these were equine (horses and donkeys), 70 were cows, and 500 were chickens). If any of you know about equine, you know just how expensive it is just to maintain a healthy horse; but to bring one back from neglect, abuse, or starvation you can multipy that number! Just to feed and care for 1 healthy horse the cost is over $1,000 a year. The donkeys are not far behind with a cost of over $600 a year.
Needless to say, our life savings has literally got eaten all over the farm! We no longer have a life savings and have borrowed on our credit cards to be able to feed and properly care for the animals we have taken in! We love to help these animals and to educate the community about these animals and farming the land, but without your help we won't be able to continue! Some people tend to think that a non profit gets funding from the state or government, but I can tell you that that is not the case with Angel's Helping Hands! We don't receive any funding without the generous support of our community.
Right now, we have 10 horses that are due to have their teeth floated (filed) (a yearly expense of $75 to $100 for each horse). We just do not have the money to do this and are asking for your help! With your help, we can raise the $1,000 that we need to provide these horses the care that they deserve. Many of you will get to meet these little gems of ours throughout the year as we bring them to many of your communities and schools. With your support, we can continue to offer a safe haven and help more animals for years to come!
Every dollar counts and will be used to help these farm animals! If you would like to use your donation as a tax write off, please contact us so we can send you the paperwork you require. Thank you for your consideration.
