History

Friends of H.O.R.S.E. Rescue works with the H.O.R.S.E. Rescue & Sanctuary in Pavilion, New York. The acronym H.O.R.S.E. stands for "Help Our Rescue Save Equines". For a full history on the H.O.R.S.E. Rescue & Sanctuary, visit About H.O.R.S.E. Rescue & Sanctuary.

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Despite the three year break in updates, I ensure you the club is still very active. This past semester (Fall '09) alone we've continued our weekly shifts as well as doing a hot dog sale and Olivers candy sale. The website has also gone through a much needed makeover, and comments are encouraged. Much is also to come next semester so stay posted!

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The Fall ‘06 semester was the busiest yet for FOHR. First, we had a tremendous turnout at both activity fairs. We now have more members than we have EVER had before! With over 20 horses at the Rescue, the extra help is needed! In October, we offered free Tim Horton's doughnuts and coffee (in exchange for a donation) at the GV Hunt parade on Main St. Thanks to The Clothes Horse for allowing us to put our table outside the store. Hunt officials also let us set up a table at their annual Race Meet! Altogether (at the two events), we raised about $75. In November, we held our annual UNO's fund-raiser (raising $90) and a Downtown (raising over $300). FOHR was also named the official charity for GSTV's telethon. In December, we gave away Starbucks coffee in exchange for a suggested donation. Because we held the event in front of Walmart, they are expected to match the total amount that we raised. Lastly, our Safety Coordinator (Heather Burrowes) designed and managed our "Adopt-a-Horse" fund-raiser. These folders contained the biography and picture of a horse, a plush horse, and other information about the Rescue itself. Overall, we raised a ton of money for the Rescue and want to continue our work next semester!

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Once again, our spring semester was extremely busy. Similar to the fall, we placed collection jars in various businesses throughout Geneseo. Later in the spring, we held our second annual UNO's coupon fund-raiser. This year, we focused more on promoting the event. Through Facebook, sitting in the Union /handing out coupons across campus, we attracted more people. Over $120.00 was donated to the Rescue. Towards the end of the semester, we held our first Downtown at the Statesman. Due to scheduling, we chose to hold our event on a Tuesday. Even though it was towards the end of the semester, we had a great turn-out! Thanks to the FoHR officers that collected money at the door. We raised $130.00 total. After tipping the bartenders/bouncers for a great night, we left with $110.00 for the Rescue. Our final fund-raiser involved selling paper horses. For $1, participants could buy/put their names on a paper horse. The horses were displayed in one of the upper Union windows. Thanks to all the students that donated! Altogether, we raised about $65.00 for the Rescue. Along with fund-raising activities, we held several group events. Finally, FoHR finished the year with officer elections. Basically, everyone maintained their position for next year. The only changes involved Donovan Shickley becoming Treasurer and Heather Burrowes becoming Safety Coordinator. Congratulations to all! We are excited and ready for next year... Hope to see you there!

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Summer vacation is over, and we're all back in Geneseo. This year will definitely be a learning experience for our new e-board. While it's been hectic these first few days, our officers are doing a great job. Our first activities were on Sept. 4th, in conjunction with WOW and Sept. 5th, in conjunction with the Volunteer Dept. The school rented a bus for our trip to the Rescue. Once we arrived, Chris and Mike introduced our guests to the horses and their histories. Heck~ even our officers learned something new. Everyone seemed very interested, and we hope to see them all again! The next day, Chris and Mike hosted the 100 Volunteers program. Because it was Labor Day, students didn't have class. The group included freshmen and current FoHR members. Everyone spent the morning painting, mucking, and grooming the horses. Great Job! On October 15th, a group of FoHR members went apple picking at Whittier Farms in Rochester. While we were there, our group rode the tractor to the apple orchard and pumpkin patches. After making a quick stop at the Rescue, we all returned home. Later that night, FoHR had a small get together at Elise's house. Our first president, Julia, showed up. Altogether, we raised $25.00 for the Rescue. Later in the semester, a small group of volunteers helped Chris and Mike put together a shelter for Missy, Mo, Joy, and Chief. In December, another group got together for a night of coffee can decorating. The cans were then distributed to businesses around Geneseo- we collected change. Special thanks to Image Empire, Pictures & Presents, Uptown Tan, Pizza Paul's, Mia's, The Clothes Horse, and Mariazza's. We raised about $15.00 in change. Finally, our Christmas present to Chris and Mike included both dog and horse treats, cat food, Fura-Zone (medication), Thrush medication, MSM, a metal muck rake, candy, and a basket for the cats to play in.

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Geneseo students have always been a small part of the H.O.R.S.E Rescue volunteer team. Julia Kogut, a volunteer since 2002, brought many of her college friends to the Rescue. Together, the group provided steady support for two years. In Spring 2004, they realized that once they graduated, the Rescue would be in desperate need.

With the help of Becca Lewis, they founded Friends of H.O.R.S.E Rescue. The group would continue to provide support for the Rescue. FoHR applied for college recognition in May ‘04. Soon after our first interest meeting, a group of volunteers got together to walk Honey 15 miles from her unloving home to the H.O.R.S.E Rescue. Because Honey was afraid and refused to board a trailer, the Dodge's felt it was more safe to walk her to her new home. Other projects included building a round pen to work the horses in. Activities were limited, because we were still pending recognition.

Finally, we were recognized in January 2005. Since then, we've done a chocolate bar fundraiser, earning $500.00 -as well as- a Walmart fundraiser, earning $300.00. We also ordered t-shirts/ long-sleeve tees with FoHR proudly displayed on them. Our group has also built a relationship with Tractor Supply in Geneseo. They give us a discount when we order muck boots. In less than two months of being recognized, and less than six months of being a group, we've accomplished so much, and we plan for so much more.

Since the last update, FoHR continues to make it's mark. We had another party to bond and raise money for Dottie's doctor appointment (to see if she was pregnant). She was! She'll be due around graduation!

Another fun time included free mini-lessons at Wynn Farms. Wynn Farms, a H.O.R.S.E Rescue- friendly barn, made a deal with us... They'd give all interested members of our club free mini-lessons if we'd just put their name and website on our website. We had a great time and left with a promise from Sarah, the head trainer, that we could set up another group lesson or two with multiple trainers.

We participated in an UNO's fund-raiser in conjunction with a sorority from R.I.T. (headed by Michele Snyder). After eating a delicious dinner, each participant was asked to hand in a coupon when they paid their bill. UNO's would then total all of the bills/coupons that day, and donate 15-20% of the total amount to the Rescue.

Now to finish off the year, our first annual End of the Year BBQ will be held Sunday April 17th! It's been a great year, and we plan to continue our success next semester!

Updated 12/22/2009