My dream of owning a farm has existed since I was a little girl. I told my grandmother when I was in Kindergarten that I would have a farm where animals could simply live and be loved. When I found birds or any animals hurt, I wanted to fix them and love them and could not understand why people would even hurt or abandon any animal. That naïve little girl grew up and did what we all do – she went to school, went to work, and got stuck into the rut of chasing the “dream” of family and successful career.
Deep down I never stopped longing for that farm to house the old, abandoned and hurt, but it seemed like a pipe dream and not a plausible path for me. But, I never stopped dreaming, regardless of what others said. I knew all along where my heart and true calling was. So, in 2012, I decided to give my real Dream a chance. Starting CLHR was technically Phase 1 of my transformative life choice.
Fast forward to today, our foster homes are continually stretched to the hilt; our home is the backup plan when things do not work out. After 10 years of this, it is time for a reality check: I must either accept that we will be a small but “mighty” rescue engine or find a way to spread out and become the locomotive we are meant to be.
I’ve done a great deal of soul searching and I’m READY to jump in with both feet to chase my BIG DREAM - to have a piece of land where we can build our CLHR Vision and live out our Mission.
~Rescue-Rehab-Rehome or Retire at the Farm~
We simply do not have the space to continue to grow. With a piece of land, our Vision and Mission can and will come to fruition. And, I have to say that I am finally in a position to take this leap with this incredible Team that I have supporting me.
We all know that puppies are a blast, but Seniors and medically challenged animals are my heart. We all love the Senior dogs that need a soft place to land for their last chapter. We also love our Senior Humans, so helping the Senior Human by helping their Senior Dog is a strong need in our area and aligns with our Mission. This is how we can have a much bigger impact in the Upstate of SC. By purchasing land and ultimately building our Sanctuary the number of lives we can change is infinite!
So how do we go about this? One Step at a time is how we do this or one phase at a time.
Tonight, we are launching Phase One of 4- The Land
PHASE 1 - Land
Plain and simple, that is where it starts. We will solely focus on Phase I, which is purchasing Land. We are seeking to raise $100,000 during our 18-month Land Campaign. To start the Campaign off with a BANG, the first $25,000 are matched dollar for dollar!
Our Friend Judy Sturges always told us that one day she wanted to move to South Carolina, sit on a porch and watch over all the old Dogs running through a field. This very Dream is what I have envisioned living for years. Obviously, in the Dream, there was no dog poop or hard work behind the scenes. Luckily, I learned all the valuable work lessons over the past 10 years. This did not frighten me, it made me more determined to make my Dream a reality. I am not afraid of hard work.
Unfortunately, we lost Judy a little over a year ago. Her last wish was for us to have land. Judy willed CLHR some monies that were to be used in a Match for Land. So, Phase I is going to do just that.
Ideally, we are looking at a buildable Piece of Land, zoned for our purpose, a minimum of 5 acres, in the Upstate so we can remain with our Clinics partners, volunteer network, and be in easy driving distance to our home and work.
When I started CLHR I gave myself 2 years to become self-sustaining or I would go back to the corporate grind and continue fostering for other rescues. In retrospect that would have been much easier than the path I chose. We made it in Year One and have continued this for 10 solid years. So, I know in my heart of hearts WE CAN do this in less than 18 months, but that is the suggested time frame for this type of Campaign. Little do “they” know how much our Supporters will rally behind us to make this happen!
Levels of Giving & Donor Recognition
· Anastasia’ Gift Level- $10,000 (In Honor of all female Hunting dogs hurt and abandoned, to include all past, present and future female Hounds)
Donor Recognition includes:
o A Lifetime Guest Pass for you and a guest for one 3-Day weekend each year during Summer Camp! Your Summer Camp Experience will include all the slobber, kisses and drool our Hounds can bestow upon you. Pool and Cabana staff will be free of charge! Your food and beverages will be served at your request. (Full details of summer camp will be provided to the donor and will include a liability waiver for your stay.)
o Your name or business name will be featured on a Bench on our Property!
o Free Admission for 5 people to the Ground Breaking Party!
o Summer Camp T-shirt and CLHR Swag Bag!
· Jackson’s Gift Level -- $5,000 (In honor of all male thrown-away hounds of the past, present and future)
Donor Recognition includes:
o A one-time, 3-Day Weekend Visit for up to 3 people to a CLHR Summer Camp Stay! Your Summer Camp Experience will include all the slobber, kisses and drool our Hounds can bestow upon you. Pool and Cabana staff will be free of charge! Your food and beverages will be served at your request. (Full details of summer camp will be provided to the donor and will include a liability waiver for your stay.)
o A Plaque with your name in the Gazebo Garden!
o Free Admission for 3 people to the Ground Breaking Party!
o Summer Camp T-shirt and CLHR Swag Bag!
· The Deuce Level- $2,000 – (in honor of all the thrown away and abused Basset Hounds we love so much, of the past, present, and future)
Donor Recognition includes:
o A Private Sunday Funday with the Bassets and the rest of the Hounds at CLHR! (Full details of daily agenda will be provided to the donor and will include a liability waiver for your visit.)
· The Patriot Level - $1,000 (In honor of all neglected and abused and overbred Bulldogs of the past, present, and future)
Donor Recognition includes:
o One afternoon visit with your favorite CLHR Dogs! (Full details of the daily agenda will be provided to the donor and will include a liability waiver for your visit.)
o A Dream Maker CLHR T-shirt and CLHR Swag Bag!
· The Luke and Hannah Level -$500 (in honor of all Dachshunds that needed a new start in life, of the past, present, and future)
Donor Recognition includes:
o A Dream Maker Design T-shirt and CLHR Swag Bag!
· The Otis Level $250- (In Honor of all thrown away Beagles of the past, present, and future)
Donor Recognition includes:
o A special CLHR Swag Bag!
· Captain No Fun Level $100 – (In honor of all dogs that need a second chance because they are misunderstood buttheads)
Donor Recognition includes:
o A Thank You letter from Captain No fun or another one of your favorite CLHR Sanctuary Dogs. FaceTime Call Included!
· Koko’s Favorite Level – (in honor of all animals that need a second chance) [A minimum Donation of $10 in any amount you choose.]
Donor Recognition includes:
o A Print of an original Koko Painting with a thank you letter from Her Majesty herself!
The small print:
All donors will be listed on the Land/Building Page as Builders of our Dream unless the donor chooses to remain anonymous.
By contributing to the Land Campaign, all donors expressly agree that, if the Goal is not met by the end date of the Land Campaign, July 2024, their funds shall be reallocated to CLHR’s regular operating budget. No donations to the Land Campaign will be refunded, but all funds will be used to support the dogs and CLHR’s rescue Mission -- whether we reach our Goal or not.
But, if you know us, you know failure is never an option.
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