Urgent Help Needed for Big Island Farm Sanctuary
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Aloha!
I’m starting this GoFundMe to help my good friends, Paula and Josh Buck- founders of Big Island Farm Sanctuary, located in Naalehu HI.
Big Island Farm Sanctuary is situated on 25 grassy acres in South Point (Naalehu), Hawaii. At just under two years old- and already home to over 55 animals including cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys- the sanctuary has grown fast and receives calls on a weekly basis for animals in need. Big Island Farm Sanctuary serves our community by providing tours, volunteer opportunities, and by stepping in when farm-type animals need help. Visitors can learn about the sanctuary residents, factory farming, and even get help with going plant-based, without a preachy atmosphere.
Josh and Paula have a unique way of running their farm animal rescue sanctuary. They rarely ask for donations and, instead, created businesses and revenue that would support their dream of rescuing animals, sharing their stories with the public, and helping people realize the benefits of not eating animals. Everything was going great! Their unique caRVee rental business was booked through the summer and they were in the process of opening a small food cart; and then COVID-19 shut the island down.
Within a few days, all of their reservations for their rental cars were canceled and their food cart idea put on the back burner. Still, Josh and Paula pushed along quietly, using the small amount of reserve money they had for the animals, and expecting the island to open back up in a couple weeks- maybe a couple of months. They never expected it to shut down their businesses for nine months, with no end in sight.
To add insult to injury, the sanctuary had a fire scare on September 19th, 2020. At around 9pm, one of their interns woke to the bright light of a rapidly growing fire. A fire set on an adjacent beach was traveling quickly through the dry grass and headed directly toward the sanctuary. They put out a call for help and hundreds of people shared their plea, while dozens showed up ready to help. Half the animal residents were loaded into cars and trucks (and even the bus Josh and Paula currently live on), and then we all just waited to see what we had to do next… Thanks to the quick work of the firefighters, the fire got within half a mile of the sanctuary but that was it. They did not need to evacuate. The next morning, Josh and Paula realized they were in no way ready for the next time (where they live “next time” isn’t a matter of if, it’s when). But, now, on top of everything else, they needed to find the money to prepare for the next fire.
Here is where WE step in! I am asking for your help to raise the necessary funds to better prepare Big Island Farm Sanctuary for the next emergency. There are things the sanctuary really needs in order to be ready. These items will also make medical procedures easier, and give Big Island Farm Sanctuary the ability to give back to the community, and assist others when needed. Items listed below are what I’m asking you to help me raise funds for:
• Horse trailer $6-7k at least
• Ramp $500-600
• Fencing panels (About 10 panels at around $130/each) $1300
• Sorting boards (4-6 boards at around $35/each) $210
• Crates (15-20 XXL crates at around $100/each) $2k
• Fire Break (They have someone willing to donate the backhoe and another person willing to donate their time to dig the fire break, so we only need a few hundred dollars for gas). $400
Thank you for your consideration, for donating, and sharing. Josh and Paula aren’t the type to ask for financial help, but they really need it right now and your support is much appreciated.
Mahalo,
Willow Roback
I’m starting this GoFundMe to help my good friends, Paula and Josh Buck- founders of Big Island Farm Sanctuary, located in Naalehu HI.
Big Island Farm Sanctuary is situated on 25 grassy acres in South Point (Naalehu), Hawaii. At just under two years old- and already home to over 55 animals including cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys- the sanctuary has grown fast and receives calls on a weekly basis for animals in need. Big Island Farm Sanctuary serves our community by providing tours, volunteer opportunities, and by stepping in when farm-type animals need help. Visitors can learn about the sanctuary residents, factory farming, and even get help with going plant-based, without a preachy atmosphere.
Josh and Paula have a unique way of running their farm animal rescue sanctuary. They rarely ask for donations and, instead, created businesses and revenue that would support their dream of rescuing animals, sharing their stories with the public, and helping people realize the benefits of not eating animals. Everything was going great! Their unique caRVee rental business was booked through the summer and they were in the process of opening a small food cart; and then COVID-19 shut the island down.
Within a few days, all of their reservations for their rental cars were canceled and their food cart idea put on the back burner. Still, Josh and Paula pushed along quietly, using the small amount of reserve money they had for the animals, and expecting the island to open back up in a couple weeks- maybe a couple of months. They never expected it to shut down their businesses for nine months, with no end in sight.
To add insult to injury, the sanctuary had a fire scare on September 19th, 2020. At around 9pm, one of their interns woke to the bright light of a rapidly growing fire. A fire set on an adjacent beach was traveling quickly through the dry grass and headed directly toward the sanctuary. They put out a call for help and hundreds of people shared their plea, while dozens showed up ready to help. Half the animal residents were loaded into cars and trucks (and even the bus Josh and Paula currently live on), and then we all just waited to see what we had to do next… Thanks to the quick work of the firefighters, the fire got within half a mile of the sanctuary but that was it. They did not need to evacuate. The next morning, Josh and Paula realized they were in no way ready for the next time (where they live “next time” isn’t a matter of if, it’s when). But, now, on top of everything else, they needed to find the money to prepare for the next fire.
Here is where WE step in! I am asking for your help to raise the necessary funds to better prepare Big Island Farm Sanctuary for the next emergency. There are things the sanctuary really needs in order to be ready. These items will also make medical procedures easier, and give Big Island Farm Sanctuary the ability to give back to the community, and assist others when needed. Items listed below are what I’m asking you to help me raise funds for:
• Horse trailer $6-7k at least
• Ramp $500-600
• Fencing panels (About 10 panels at around $130/each) $1300
• Sorting boards (4-6 boards at around $35/each) $210
• Crates (15-20 XXL crates at around $100/each) $2k
• Fire Break (They have someone willing to donate the backhoe and another person willing to donate their time to dig the fire break, so we only need a few hundred dollars for gas). $400
Thank you for your consideration, for donating, and sharing. Josh and Paula aren’t the type to ask for financial help, but they really need it right now and your support is much appreciated.
Mahalo,
Willow Roback
Organizer and beneficiary
Willow Roback
Organizer
Naalehu, HI
Paula Buck
Beneficiary
