Maple Farm Sanctuary!

Several weeks ago I had a discussion with co-workers about the benefits of joining a not-for-profit board: professional development, business networking and--most important to me--the chance to use my business skills to help an organization whose mission I feel passionate about.

Enter Maple Farm Sanctuary.

I knew I'd like to put my PR and marketing skills to work for an organization devoted to spotlighting the dreadful treatment of animals raised for food. Maple Farm Sanctuary is a vegan-owned and operated sanctuary in Mendon, Mass. It's a safe and loving refuge for farmed animals to live in peace for the remainder of their lives. The sanctuary's story is inspiring to say the least.

Like many not-for-profits the sanctuary has suffered from dismal fundraising as of late. The economy, coupled with health problems that one of the owners is enduring, have combined to create a situation that's very urgent. Winter is approaching. The sanctuary needs to raise thousands of dollars to buy hay and other supplies the animals will need to stay warm and well fed over the coming months.

This is a challenge I'm so keen to take on. I've already detailed a list of near- and longer-term fundraising and marketing goals. I'm going to meet with the owners on Saturday, Oct. 16 for a day of planning (and hopefully a day of farm chores and meeting the animals, too!). I so look forward to joining the organization's board and putting my skills and experience to work for them.

I'll write more about MFS on this blog in the future and hope to share news of fundraising initiatives that include: yoga at the sanctuary; sponsoring of individual animals; picnics; merchandise and a host of other ideas that are still in the "concept stage" inside my head. So stay tuned for more updates from the farm!