Hello:

My name is Deb, and I am setting up this page on behalf of my friend and sister from another mother – Marsha. She is one of the kindest and most giving people I know and unfortunately has had a major event that she needs some help with. On January 10, 2025, the entire roof of her 40x60 horse barn collapsed from ice and snow. Her 5 horses and 1 foal were inside. Part of the structure had to be cut away to get her animals. She said her farm angels were watching over her because the trusses fell all around the horses. Other than being shaken up, they did not have a scratch.

The bad news is that even though she had insurance, the one event she did not have listed was weight of snow and ice causing collapse. In her defense, this is probably not a likely occurrence in Southern Illinois. She will not be receiving anything from her insurance company to replace the barn. The barn was built 25 years ago and to replace it today (along with the equipment that was inside the barn) would cost about $30,000.

To give you all a bit of background, she has taken care of her family farm in Southern Illinois for the past 46 years. Her life has revolved around this farm. She is retired and the farm is her life. Currently the farm includes her 8 horses, 6 peacocks, several outdoor farm cars, 26 chickens, and her dog. She stays busy caring for her animals and tending her irises. Two years ago, she started Rocky’s Place Horse Motel where people traveling with their horses, etc. can bring their horses to rest overnight from their journey. She has enjoyed meeting all the interesting people that have stayed with their animals - from polo ponies to kids taking their horse to college with them, to individuals on the way to help search for missing people from Hurricane Helene in the Appalachian area to share a few. In addition to managing and maintaining the farm. she has instructed many people to ride over the years including my mom who was 70 at the time of her first ride.

Asking for help on this page is very difficult for her (she doesn’t like to accept or even ask for help). That’s why I am doing this for her. I am hoping you all will be willing to help her out so that the legacy of her farm can continue. We are hoping to raise $15,000 to help her toward replacing her barn. Please consider giving what you feel you can.

This is what the foal's stall looked like before the collapse. Let' help him get his cozy stall back.