Wild Hor$e Round Up

[Tracey]

Years (and years) ago I sold Pampered Chef, and they did a fundraiser each year they called Round Up From the Heart. People donated their change, rounding up to the nearest dollar. Loads of money was made using this method of fund raising.

Ginger noted that Safeway is now doing a similar fund raiser in their stores.

I think it's time we implement the same format, requesting that our local feed stores or other mustang friendly businesses do the same. This is really no different than the change jars sitting there for animal shelters or businesses asking if you'd like to donate a dollar to (name your favorite.)

We could market this quite effectively, I think, if each of us is willing to put in the effort. I can create a logo that can go on a jar. We need to make sure that the business asks each customer to round up.

Another variation on this that won't bring in cash, but will bring in supplies, is to have a shopping list available at tack stores, plus signs they can post near de-wormers, halters, grain, etc. in hopes that people will pick up an extra and donate it. I might just ask Laurel Farm to give this a try for us, sort of a test market. I'm sure stores would love this concept as it will put dollars in their pockets.

[ginger]

I love this idea. It not only makes it easy for people to donate, but it also raises awareness for everyone who shops.

[Tracey]

I'm going to ask Cennex (don't hold yer breath) if they'll do the round up during the fair. Last year they donated the use of a round pen for us and we put up their banner. Perhaps we can do some sort of cross advertising again?

[susanc]

I like this idea a lot. Be sure to let us all know when we are ready to kick it off.

[Tracey]

What do we want it to say? Here's my second try at coming up with something.

Creating a safe haven where people can experience extraordinary partnerships with wild horses.

America has over 30,000 wild horses in long term holding that are facing euthanasia due to lack of funds.
Please help Mustang U change the lives of at least a few.

MustangU.org
MustangU.blogspot.com

The photo I've got is of Honor, but perhaps we ought to use Liberty's photo?

Should we wait until we've got her at home next week, so we can get a few new photos of her? Or perhaps a shot of the corrals that show her with all the other mares and babies? (Babies will tug at heart strings, right?)

And I think we need to hit places outside of feed stores for this if we want it to really work well. The money will be at a chain of grocery stores. We'll hit a broader target at the grocery store, and there will be more people who are willing to give to animal causes than those who are already trying to make ends meet with their domestics. I may speak the the people at Haggen to see if they'd be willing to do a month long promo for us. They're family owned, so it may be easier to get a yes than if it were corporate like Safeway or Albertsons.

Plus, this way we can target the tack/feed stores with the shopping list.

[Tracey]

This is big so if you load slow...sorry!

[Tracey]

Responses? Anyone?

[debprather]

I like the whole idea, but i thnk the picture of Liberty and Chance in with the others is a better picture. Deb

[froglander]

Would be interesting to see an option with Liberty and Chance like Deb said. But also, I think it needs to describe what you mean by Round Up. No where on there did I see something about rounding up to the nearest dollar and depositing your change.

And yeah, looking at it again, need to show what it is we are trying to help, the horses in long-term holding and such, not the gorgeous horse still wild, people may wonder, "what does that horse need my change for?"

Just my two cents worth

[susanc]

I also think a picture of the the horses in the corrals would be more empowering for us with a description of when and where it was taken. "Wild horse corrals, Burns, OR. May, 2009" or something to that affect so people know we don't have a photo from 5 years ago. It doesn't even have to be of Liberty and baby - just the impact of those in the corrals would be good. I like what you have written but also think it needs to say will you round up your change for our wild horse round up or something like that as a title maybe???