|
Dear Friends and Visitors:
As you most probably know by now, we are a small miniature horse ranch located in Penngrove, California (just north of Petaluma) who has been doing community outreach to schools, nonprofit groups, special needs organizations, and assisted living/senior centers for the past several years. It is so rewarding to be able to educate people and make them happy at the same time!
We are appealing to you because we are in very real danger of losing everything we have worked so hard to build here at Lovepatch Farms. In late 2009, we had to short sale our ranch to a local corporation. The officers of this corporation were friends that we had known for over 10 years and from whom we had purchased thousands of dollars of miniature horses They knew us well, and in many ways, they were our mentors as we entered the miniature horse business. Years ago they had hosted visitors to their large ranch and they were very encouraging in helping us expand our services to the community at large. To date, we and our “little ones” have hosted and educated hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors. We believe Lovepatch Farms is an asset to the community and provides a welcome alternative to children and seniors, as everyone who visits us here at Lovepatch leaves with a smile on their faces and in their hearts.
Unfortunately, as of December 6, 2011, the corporation who purchased our property in the short sale, has decided to divest themselves of the burden of Lovepatch Farms and has given us a mere 60 day notice to vacate or try and purchase the property. This has come as a complete shock to both Cory and I as we were given assurances, as recently as three months prior, that the corporation had our best interests at heart. Obviously we have now learned that this is no longer the case. We have also learned that being a “renter”, especially in Sonoma County assures you that you have virtually no tenant rights, and for the most part, renters are at the mercy of their landlords.
If you can even begin to imagine how panicked and emotionally devastated Cory and I are feeling, you will know how crushed we are to come to the realization that everything we have worked so hard to build may be gone in short order. Thirty years of work, gone in a flash, at the whim of a corporation that says they have other ventures they wish to invest their money into. If we cannot purchase Lovepatch back from this corporation, Lovepatch Farms will no longer exist to serve the community.
Just last week, we met with officers of the corporation and they have agreed to order an appraisal of our property and advise us of their asking price. Perhaps we will be able to obtain financing or partner with someone so we can buy back our property and continue our good works at Lovepatch Farms.
Would you be willing to help? Do you have any ideas? Would you be willing to partner with us? Would you be willing to donate money to help us buy back Lovepatch Farms? Let us know . . .
If we are still operational this Spring, we are planning to expand our outreach so we can host many more visitors. We have found that "at risk" youth, autistic children, special needs children, and even seniors with dementia respond remarkably well to our little horses. Although my husband and I do not have special training or certifications, we know that the love and kindness we and ourlittle ones share with our visitors provide a positive and therapeutic experience for all involved. We like to think that our efforts give back to our community in a very unique "grass roots" way.
Please help us to continue our work to make this world a kinder and happier place. Please feel free to send us E-mail or call us at the number given below. We will be happy to answer your questions or listen to suggestions.
Should you care to bless us with a direct donation, we have setup an account for Lovepatch Farms on PayPal. See the PayPal DONATE button on the right.
Should you wish to send us a check, your check should be made payable to:
Lovepatch Farms, 292 Palm Avenue, Penngrove CA 94951
Sending You Our Sincerest Thanks,
Lee Romero & Cory Vandergeld
707-664-9163
|
