The Arabian Horse Foundation has announced plans for an Arabian Horse Foundation Wall of Honor to be unveiled at the U.S. Nationals held in Tulsa, Okla. this year. The Wall of Honor will carry the names of individuals, clubs or regions who have given upwards from $1,000 to the Foundation. The 2008 deadline for being included on the Wall of Honor is September 15. Donors will be inducted to the Arabian Legacy Society with gifts from $1,000 to $9,999, or to the Arabian Heritage Society with a gift over $10,000.
“In the past, the Foundation has had no place to publicly thank and honor those who are charitable and generous to the Foundation,” says Larry Kinneer, President of the Foundation. “The Wall of Honor will be a tastefully done portable display that will travel to all of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) public venues including the annual convention.”
The Arabian Horse Foundation was re-launched at the 2007 AHA Convention with great support and enthusiasm. Donors can designate how they want their gift used. Categories include: youth scholarships, general education, equine research and horse displacement/re-homing. The charter donors, who pledged and paid $1,000 and above at convention will be included in the Wall of Honor. Charter donors who gave $500 have the option to raise their donation another $500 to have their name placed on the wall. Placement of names will depend on the giving level.
“There is a great deal of interest in the Foundation since contributors now have the option of designating where their gift is to be used,” Kinneer adds. “We are seeing a lot of interest in horse re-homing and in research.”
The Foundation has two panels of experts who advise the board on two gift categories-equine research and displacement/re-homing. “We have selected individuals who are knowledgeable and well informed in these two areas,” says Kinneer. “Their work is greatly valued and will guide us in making financial gift decisions.”
Those making a contribution can decide if they want the gift given in their name, in memory or honor a favorite horse or can give in memory or honor of an individual. Examples are: Heavensgate Farm; In Memory of Bill Smith, The Smith Family; In Honor of Ibn Sharriff. It is possible to spread a gift over several years.
To be listed on the wall, send your check for $1,000 and above to the Arabian Horse Foundation at 10805 East Bethany Dr., Aurora, CO 80014-2605. Please indicate the name you wish to appear on the wall.
The Foundation has already given out nearly $30,000 in scholarships to 53 youth across North America this year. The Foundation board will meet in Denver in August and will determine funding priorities in both research and displacement/re-homing. Board members include: Lollie Ames, Nancy Harvey, C.A. Butler, Jim Cada and Frank Galovic.
All donations are important to the Foundation. Donations can be made on-line at www.arabianhorsefoundation.org. Go to the Donations tab. A “thank you” will be displayed after your gift is sent, and the Foundation will follow up with a letter that can be used for tax purposes. The Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charity and gifts are tax deductible. For further information, contact Larry Kinneer at 937-271-3959 or larlv@aol.com.