We are always grateful for our donors, sponsors and volunteers at the sanctuary. Their support is critical to our work in helping rescued animals in need. In 2023, we witnessed a new trend of support coming from… children! Following are some examples of the incredible compassion shown to our animals by people under the age of ten. When we worry about the state of the world during these troubled times, we find comfort knowing that the future of the planet is in good hands.
JOEY NEET is 4 years old and loves animals. When we put out requests for auction items for our Earth Day Celebration silent auction fundraiser, he volunteered to paint a portrait of our horse Wyatt. And what an amazing job he did! Joey attended our Earth Day Celebration with his family and fell in love with a another auction painting of a bird entitled “Spring” by artist Celeste Schute-Wright. Did we mention that Joey loves animals and birds?? Joey put in his bid. More bids came in. Joey bid again, scrawling his name on the auction sheet. Other bids came in. And then a third bid from Joey. At the end of the evening, who do you think won the “Spring” painting from our silent auction? You guessed it: Joey Neet. He outbid all the adults. Joey was over the moon with excitement when he discovered that he’d won the beautiful painting, which he hung in his room. So not only did this young man donate a hand-painted item to our fundraising auction, he further supported the sanctuary with his determined bidding of a portrait of a bird that touched his heart. Wow. Well done Joey!
MALEA ALBERTS is 10 years old and a friend of The Lily Pond. A frequent visitor to the sanctuary with her family to visit Wyatt, whom they sponsor, Malea has made friends with all the horses and enjoys cuddling with our cats. She has become especially close to our horse Hogie Bear, who loves to receive hugs from his young friend. Malea attended our Earth Day Celebration with her family. Gazing at all the wonderful raffle items, she purchased her tickets but made only one big bet: placing all of her raffle tickets on an equine bucket filled with horse supplies and treats donated by Dover Saddlery in Latham. We should note that Malea does not own a horse. Who do you think won the Dover Saddlery Horse bucket? That’s right! Malea! Founder Susan Bandy joked that she now she just needed a horse. But Malea had a game plan: she marched her prize down to our barn and presented it to Barn Manager Brenda Izzo as a gift to our horses. Wow. Just wow. Well done Malea!
ELIANNA CAMPESE-KORMAN is 9 years old. A denizen of Staten Island, she had the idea to host a lemonade stand to raise funds for the animals at The Lily Pond Sanctuary. Elianna designed a terrific table for “E’s Lemonade” and mixed up pitchers of the tasty beverage. She was ready for business. With the help of her parents, Marianna Campese and Damian Korman, she rallied her school friends and members of the community, resulting in a spectacular show of support. Glasses of fresh lemonade were poured and served in large number. At the end of a wildly successful day, Elianna had raised $1,300.00 for The Lily Pond Sanctuary! Wow. I mean wow. Elianna and her family visited the sanctuary for a tour to meet the animals and to present her donation check to Founder Susan Bandy. We – humans and animals – are so grateful and impressed with this talented young entrepreneur and philanthropist! Well done, Elianna!
