Help horse rescue, adoption at fundraiser

Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption will host the “Mane Event Walk Trot Canter,” the fifth annual silent and live auction dinner fundraiser at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, in Elgin.

Tickets are $55 per person, and tables of eight are $400. For reservations or information, call Jody at (630) 664-4270, by Thursday, Sept. 15.

More than 150 people are expected to be in attendance and the goal is to raise in excess of $30,000 for the future goals of FODHRA. The amount it takes to keep one horse at FODHRA is approximately $625 a month or $7,500 a year.

While a portion of the yearly costs are funded through adoption fees, mini-fundraisers, yearly memberships and horse sponsorships, most of the expenses are left unaccounted for. It is for those funds that the annual Mane Event is held.

Field of Dreams provides a safe haven for abused and neglected horses, as well as horses coming from loving homes whose owners can no longer care for them.

Field of Dreams recommends volunteering before anyone adds an equine companion to their home so people can see what the true responsibilities of horse ownership are all about.

Field of Dreams has a group of dedicated volunteers who come to help care for the “special guests” on a daily basis. They brush horses, clean stalls, do barn repairs or whatever else is asked of them. No board member or volunteer takes a salary.

“Your donation, paid membership, and time and talents volunteering, makes it possible for us to continue our mission in helping horses in need,” said FODHRA publicist Lorrie Marsiglio.

If you’d like to help but can’t volunteer, visit website www.fodonline.org, or become a member or sponsor a horse.

Also, keep checking for the upcoming Bunco nights, fundraising evening at Zanies Comedy Club in St. Charles, and annual garage sale in May.

Field of Dreams has about 50 volunteers, from ages 12 through 67, and volunteers hail from Geneva, Naperville, Roselle, Campton Hills, St. Charles, Batavia, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Aurora, Carol Stream, Maple Park, Virgil, South Elgin, Niles, Sycamore, Elburn, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, and La Fox.

To learn more about the a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, all-volunteer horse rescue organization in Batavia, visit www.fodonline.org.