December E-News
Wrapping up an exciting and busy 2015!

Thanks to our supporters, Heartland was able to accomplish so much this year! Here's a look back at 2015...

Last January, Heartland rescued 126 roosters and hens from a cockfighting ring bust. This was our first large scale animal rescue and rehabilitation effort. In November we found safe, loving homes for the last of the roosters!  Among our other rescues in 2015 were two sickly calves named Beau and Daisy who have since grown into healthy and happy cows. None of it would have been possible without the support of our members.

This year we held 10 themed weeks of our popular Summer Camp, as well as spring, fall and winter mini camps! In addition to offering our therapeutic Barn Time and family-centered Animal Hearts programs, we also laid the groundwork for new programs in the spring of 2016.  Be watching for a kids-only Animal Hearts group as well as a support group for female Veterans.  And we received a grant for a greenhouse to be built by Veterans, so spring will be a very busy time at the farm!  

Very recently, we brought an office trailer to the barn.  After five years, we finally have heat!   And relocating our office to the farm means that you'll be seeing a lot more of our staff members Dana, Jamie, Alecia and Sarah (who are all looking forward to more face time with the volunteers and animals!)

You may be surprised to know the scope of what we offer to the community at HFS. In addition to rescuing as many animals as we have capacity for, we also assist in rehoming farm animals whose owners are no longer able to care for them. We hold public and private barn tours throughout the year, class field trips (from preschools to colleges!) and club visits. If you can't come to us, we can bring the farm to you through our Farm on Wheels program.

We look forward to helping many more people and animals in 2016!
There's still time! Give the gift of compassion this holiday season!

We hope that as you enjoy the spirit of the season with family and friends, you will consider sponsoring one of Heartland's rescued animals, or give to our program scholarship fund that sends children without financial means to our educational and therapeutic programs at the farm. 

You can also make a donation on behalf of someone else - our sponsorships make beautiful, heartfelt gifts! If you gift a sponsorship, we'll mail a certificate to the gift recipient.  Learn more...
A new way to beat the Winter Blues - Heartland's Winter Break Camp

Heartland's first-ever Winter Break Camp will be held for seven days over the winter break! This camp runs from 9 AM to 12:30 PM on December 21st-23rd and the 28th-31st. 

You can sign up for one day, all seven days, or anything in between! The cost for Winter Break Camp is $175 for all seven days, or $30/day if you sign up for one day or a few days.
New Volunteer Opportunity!

We have many helping hands at Heartland, and now we are looking for someone to help us coordinate our volunteers' good work. Take a look at our Volunteer Coordinator job description and email Dana if you or someone you know might be interested.
Support in our Community - Heartland thanks you!
 
Thank you to our trailer electricians!
Heartland sends a warm THANK YOU to IBEW Local 159, Viking Electric and Krantz Electric for working together to get electricity hooked up to our new office trailer out at the barn! Pictured here are Jeff Crocker, Assistant Business Manager of IBEW Local 159 and their Business Manager Robert Doyle, along with our staff member Sarah and barn kitty Jasper! IBEW Local 159 donated materials for the project and all of the labor (completed by Jeff and Robert!) Read more...
 
Shop for your favorite farm animal friends this season!

A super quick and easy way to support Heartland is by purchasing an item from our Amazon Wishlist! And don't forget - when you shop at smile.amazon.com and select Heartland as your benefit charity, we'll also receive an additional donation from Amazon at no additional cost to you! Happy shopping!
Animal Spotlight: Percy the pig
Percy was purchased from a breeder who claimed he was a "micro mini teacup" pig and would only weigh about 30 pounds full grown. At two years old, Percy is already 80 pounds (and still growing)! A sweet pig who loves cuddling with his human mom and dad, Percy also had some behavioral issues due to living in a small home. Percy was well-loved and safe with his people, but also depressed and frustrated being an indoor pig. As much as his parents loved him, they knew they couldn't give Percy the "pig life" he so needed and deserved. Read Percy's full story...
Can you help this winter?
We are looking for volunteers who can shovel or snow-blow this winter (when the snow finally gets here). The driveway is plowed, but help is needed to keep walkways, stairs and parking spots clean and safe for volunteers. If you are available for this type of outdoor work, please email Alecia with your availability and contact information. 

We're also looking for animal care volunteers on weekday morning shifts! Visit our volunteer page for more information. 

Dana Barre
Executive Director & Founder  
Heartland Farm Sanctuary                    
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